Key Points

Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino's newest film 'La Grazia' will open the prestigious 82nd Venice Film Festival this August. The movie stars acclaimed actor Toni Servillo and will be screened at the Sala Grande on Wednesday, August 27th. Festival director Alberto Barbera praised Sorrentino's artistic journey, highlighting his long-standing relationship with the Venice Film Festival. The event promises to be a significant celebration of contemporary Italian cinema, running from late August to early September.

Key Points: Sorrentino's 'La Grazia' Opens Venice Film Festival 2025

  • Sorrentino's film will premiere on August 27 at Sala Grande
  • Fremantle produces the film with multiple production companies
  • MUBI holds worldwide distribution rights
  • Festival runs from August 27 to September 6
3 min read

Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia' to open 82nd Venice Film Festival

Paolo Sorrentino's latest film 'La Grazia' to headline 82nd Venice Film Festival, starring Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti

"Paolo Sorrentino's return in competition comes with a film destined to leave its mark - Alberto Barbera, Venice Film Festival Director"

Washington DC, July 4

'La Grazia', the latest feature from Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, will open the 82nd Venice Film Festival, reported Deadline. It stars Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti in the lead roles.

Sorrentino's 'La Grazia' will have its world premiere screening on August 27 (Wednesday), in the Sala Grande, as per the outlet.

'La Grazia' is a Fremantle film produced by The Apartment, a Fremantle Company, by Numero 10, and by PiperFilm, which will be distributed in Italy. MUBI owns worldwide rights, excluding Italy. The Match Factory is handling international sales.

"I am very happy that the 82nd Venice International Film Festival will open with the new and highly anticipated film by Paolo Sorrentino," Venice head Alberto Barbera said in a statement as quoted by Deadline.

"I like to recall that one of the most important and internationally acclaimed Italian auteurs made his debut right here at the Biennale di Venezia in 2001 with his first film, 'One Man Up', in my early years as the Artistic Director. The relationship with the Venice Film Festival became consolidated over the years with the presentation out of competition of the first episodes in the series The Young Pope (seasons one and two) and, above all, with The Hand of God, which, in 2021, won the Silver Lion-Grand Jury Prize," added Alberto as quoted by Deadline.

He concluded by saying, "Paolo Sorrentino's return in competition comes with a film destined to leave its mark for its great originality and powerful relevance to the present time, which the audiences of the Venice Film Festival will have the pleasure of discovering on opening night," as quoted by Deadline.

Meanwhile, the 'Vertigo' fame star Kim Novak will be honoured with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival, reported Variety.

While announcing the actress's honour, the Venice Film Festival released a statement calling Novak "a star who was emancipated; a rebel at the heart of Hollywood who illuminated the dreams of movie lovers before retiring to her ranch in Oregon to dedicate herself to painting and to her horses," as quoted by Variety.

As part of the tribute, Venice will world premiere the documentary biopic "Kim Novak's Vertigo," directed and written by Alexandre O. Philippe.

The documentary blends rare archival footage with personal reflections from Novak and glimpses into her reclusive life along Oregon's wild Rogue River and traces her path from mid-century cinema icon to fiercely private artist.

The fest's upcoming 82nd edition in Venice will run from August 27 to September 6.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Interesting choice for opening film. But when will Indian cinema get this kind of international recognition? Our filmmakers deserve more global platforms like Venice.
R
Rohit P
Kim Novak getting lifetime achievement award is well deserved! Vertigo is one of my all-time favorite Hollywood classics. Wish I could attend the festival 😍
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate international cinema, I wish the article had mentioned if any Indian films are being screened at Venice this year. Our regional cinema deserves more coverage too.
V
Vikram M
Sorrentino's visual storytelling is unmatched! The Great Beauty was poetry in motion. Hope MUBI brings this to India quickly. Anyone know if they'll have Indian subtitles?
K
Kavya N
So happy to see women filmmakers and artists being recognized! Kim Novak's journey from Hollywood to painting is inspiring. More power to women in cinema everywhere 💪

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