If the first week opened with the presentation of the latest film by Edoardo De Angelis “Comandante”, as well as a succession of equally awaited titles such as “Adagio” by Stefano Sollima and the biopic on Enzo Ferrari by Michael Mann, the second week of The Venice Film Festival proves to be equally full of content and surprises, with the much-talked-about return of Woody Allen for the preview of his "Coup de Chance" and the screening of the film inspired by the true story of Elvis Presley's wife "Priscilla" , directed by Sofia Coppola.
Last September 4, the latest effort of the director of "Lost in Translation" had to compete for the award with the Japanese film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi "Evil Does Not Exist", described below by the official synopsis: «Takumi and daughter Hana they live in the village of Mizubiki, near Tokyo. Like other generations before them, they lead a modest life indulging the cycles and order of nature. One day, the villagers learn of plans to build a glamping site near Takumi's house, intended to offer city dwellers a pleasant source of "escape" into nature. When two Tokyo officials arrive at the village to hold a meeting, it becomes clear that the project will negatively impact the local water supply, causing general discontent."
Based on the book entitled “Elvis and me” co-written by Priscilla Presely and Sandra Harmon, “Priscilla” stars Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny. The meeting at a party between Priscilla Beaulieu and Elvis Presley, at the time already established as the undisputed star of rock'n'roll, makes the young woman see a completely different side of the artist from the one shown to the fans. The icon of music, sex appeal and style appeared to him as a fragile and sensitive being, and an unbridled love will be born from his attendance. From the long courtship to the troubled marriage, "Priscilla" will tell - through the eye of the camera handled skilfully by Coppola - the intimate and personal profile of a successful man, as never seen before.
Marking his fiftieth direction, Woody Allen's “Coup de Chance” stars Lou de Laâge, Valérie Lemercier, Melvil Poupaud, and Niels Schneider. Playing on the importance of chance in outlining our lives, we will delve into the complicated relationship between Fanny and Jean, apparently an ideal couple, professionally made and owner of a luxurious apartment in Paris. The situation will change drastically when Fanny finds Alain - a former high school friend - in a completely random circumstance. Further appointments will gradually follow the first meeting, which will make them feel closer and closer.
In the "Le Giornate degli Autori" category we will find in competition "Snow in midsummer", directed by the Malaysian Keat Aun Chong and inspired by a bloody revolt that broke out in Kuala Lumpur on 13 May 1969. With "L'Avamposto" Edoardo Morabito takes us instead in the Amazon, where they will try to organize a Pink Floyd concert to convince the Brazilian state to establish a nature reserve useful for preserving the area. But Alessandro Roia's first work entitled "With the grace of a God" will also find space, in which the protagonist Luca will return to Genoa after twenty-five years to commemorate the death of a childhood friend, and the contact with those places that saw him born will push him to come to terms with the ghosts of the past.
John Scanu
