Venice Days, The Venice Film Festival’s independent arm modeled on Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, has unveiled their lineup for the 13th fest, which runs from August 31-September 10 this year.
This year’s focus is on “female creativity,” as artistic director Giorgio Gosetti described it.
“This selection is strongly characterized by the female creativity that flows through most of the films we’ve seen and most of those that have been chosen,” said Gosetti in a statement. “It reflects the way that for years now, we’ve placed the female world …at the center of our research. But it’s also a strong sign of the vitality and rejuvenation of the art of film, which, by no coincidence, is confirmed in the exceptional number and quality of first and second works we believe in.”
As Variety goes on to detail, “Venice Days includes new short films by acclaimed Japanese director Naomi Kawase, who was recently on the Cannes jury, and American director Crystal Moselle, whose documentary ‘The Wolfpack’ won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2015.”
THR writes that the festival will open with “Syrian war video diary ‘The War Show’ directed by Andreas Dalsgaard and Obadiah Zytoon. The film follows Zytoon crossing the border from Turkey into the war zone at the beginning of the Syrian civil war.” The rest of the lineup includes Amanda Kernell’s biopic “Sami Blood,” and Hana Jusic’s portrait of a girl overwhelmed by sexual desire “‘Quit Staring At My Plate.”
Four of 11 titles in competition — 36 percent — are directed by women.
“Legendary, seductive, an unsettling mutant, the symbol of this year’s XIII edition is the Mermaid,” continued Gosetti, “a tribute to femininity and the sea that gave birth to Venice, and to that fleeting and unique quality of art and human invention. We’re not mermaids, but we’re fighting for their survival.”
Check out the women-directed films at Venice Days below. List adapted from Variety.
Venice Days Lineup
“The War Show,” Obaidah Zytoon, Andreas Dalsgaard (Denmark, Finland): opener. In competition.
Competition
“Quit Staring at My Plate,” Hana Jusic (Croatia, Denmark)
“Polina,” Valerie Muller, Angelin Preljocaj (France)
“Sami Blood,” Amanda Kernell (Sweden, Denmark, Norway)
Women’s Tales Project (shorts), in collaboration with Prada’s Miu Miu Label
“Seed,” Naomi Kawase (Italy, Japan)
“That One Day,” Crystal Moselle (Italy, U.S.)
SPECIAL EVENTS
“Always Shine,” Sophia Takal (U.S.)
