Venice Film Festival Opens with Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia' and Controversy on Inclusion

Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia' marked a poignant start to the 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival, drawing fervent applause and widespread critical acclaim on Wednesday night. The film stars Tony Servillo as an Italian president who grants a pardon to a woman who killed her husband suffering from Alzheimer's. This thought-provoking narrative earned a long standing ovation as it set the tone for the world's oldest cinema festival on the Lido. Describing the film, Sorrentino reflected on its themes, stating, "It’s a film about love, doubt, and politics." The opening night also featured a significant recognition for veteran German filmmaker Werner Herzog, who was honored with the Golden Lion for career achievement. However, the night was not without controversy. A pro-Palestinian collective of artists has called for the exclusion of Israeli actor Gal Gadot and Scottish actor Gerard Butler due to their alleged support for Israel amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Venice Film Festival Director Alberto Barbera addressed the situation, clarifying, "We have clearly expressed our position on Gaza but we are not censoring anyone." In a planned demonstration scheduled for Saturday, the Venice4Palestine group will rally in the lagoon, supported by countercultural leftist social centers. Critically, 'La Grazia' has garnered a warm reception from international press. Praising Servillo’s performance, Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian awarded the film four stars, describing it as "an elegant, refined, and meditative work that leaves room for enigma." David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter hailed Servillo as "extraordinary" in this exquisite character study, emphasizing its exploration of the introspection of a man of power. William Bibbiani from The Wrap deemed 'La Grazia' a breath of fresh air for cinema and suggested that Servillo deserves an Oscar nomination for his role. Deadline's Peter Hammond commented on Sorrentino’s evolution as a filmmaker, stating that the director reaches new artistic maturity by abandoning his tendency toward extravagance. Jonathan Romney of Screendaily echoed this sentiment, calling 'La Grazia' a captivating film that ensnares viewers from start to finish. Kevin Maher from The Times noted that the film embodies much of Sorrentino's charm by slowing down and suspending time. Finally, Marshall Shaffer of The Playlist referred to 'La Grazia' as a parable for our autocratic age, emphasizing the deep respect for the character portrayed by Servillo. Owen Gleiberman from Variety remarked that Sorrentino’s latest work is more understated than his previous efforts, suggesting that this quality makes 'La Grazia' all the better, revealing hidden depths in both the film and Servillo's character as Italy's staid president. As filmmakers, critics, and audiences gather in Venice, Sorrentino's introspective narrative and the surrounding controversies spark dialogue at the festival, showcasing the intersection of art, politics, and moral inquiry in contemporary cinema. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2