Cheers galore for Hugh Jackman, Casey Affleck at Venice film fest
Hugh Jackman and Casey Affleck world premiered their respective prestige dramas Wednesday at the Venice Film Festival.
Jackman stars with Laura Dern in “The Son,” part of a trilogy by writer-director Florian Zeller whose “The Father” won him an adapted screenplay Oscar and his star, Anthony Hopkins, his second best actor Oscar.
“I pursued this role,” Jackman, sitting next to Zeller, announced at the press conference. “When I read ‘The Son,’ it was a fire in my gut and a feeling you rarely get as an actor: The part is right for you — and you must play it! The scary part is if you don’t get it. I did chase it and was so relieved he said yes.”
“I was surprised and touched by his humility,”
Zeller said of receiving Jackman’s email. “Because of the pandemic we met on Zoom to talk — and I wasn’t going to make a decision. After eight minutes I offered him the part. I had the feeling he has the ability to do what I wanted and in very honest way. It was,” he added, “the best decision ever. Such a joyful intense journey we shared.”
‘Dreamin’ ’ on
Bill Pohlad’s “Dreamin’ Wild” is a true comeback story — with unexpected twists. In the late ’70s, teenage brothers Donnie and Joe Emerson selfrecorded an album but it wasn’t until 30 years later that it was finally “discovered.” What’s surprising is how “Dreamin’ ” shifts to become a portrait of an amazing farming family.
“I read it and was captivated by the music,” said Pohlad, who knows about musical biopics; he won raves for “Love & Mercy,” his 2014 portrait of Beach Boy Brian Wilson. “But really it was meeting the family and being enchanted by them and what kind of people they were. People you never meet in the movies”
Donnie Emerson is very much alive and was there in Washington on the family farm when they filmed, which turned out to be fine with everyone.
“Before starting shooting, I spent time with him,” Affleck said. “My girlfriend and I stayed with his family and that informed the way I portrayed him. Donnie said, ‘Whatever you do is okay with me.’ ”
Also in Venice with the film were Walton Goggins (Joe Emerson), Zooey Deschanel (Donnie’s wife Karen) and Beau Bridges as Don Sr.
“We’ve become good friends since we did the movie. He’s 91,” Bridges said, “and still drives timber trucks up in the woods. He had to teach me how to drive big trucks with 18 shifts on it. We (continue to) talk and before I get off the phone Salina, his wife, sings me a song.”