Luca Guadagnino Will Open the 80th Venice Film Festival

The 80th Venice Film Festival will open with the latest Luca Guadagnino’s  movie, Challengers, a ménage à trois tennis drama starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist that will be screened out of competition.

“I am so thrilled for audiences to experience my new film Challengers at the Venice Film Festival,” said Guadagnino in a statement. “It’s a bold modern story of youthful energy, love, and power. Zendaya, Josh, and Mike are original and fresh, bringing a new energy you’ve never seen before. I can’t wait for the Lido audience to dance across the notes of the soundtrack of Trent and Atticus on the opening night of the 80th edition of the Mostra. As a filmmaker, it is a dream come true. I am grateful to Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera and the whole Venice family for this wonderful recognition for the film.”

The Italian director is a regular in Venice. His first time at the Lido was in 2009 with I Am Love. Six years later, he presented A Bigger Splash. Suspiria came at the Lido in 2018. Last year he delivered the cannibal love story Bones and All, starring Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell. “Luca Guadagnino is one of the few Italian directors who has always been accustomed to working with Italian and foreign actresses and actors, getting top results each time,” said director Barbera. “Even when he is filming abroad, as with Challengers. With a light hand and sporting self-confidence, Guadagnino sets no limits to his creative energy in this film as he deals with topics such as love, friendship, and male rivalry. He brings to life an enthralling and affecting movie full of irony, sensuality, and good nature. Cinema in its purest form.”

The 80th Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 30th to Sept. 9th. It will unveil its full 2023 lineup on July 25th. La La Land and Babylon director Damien Chazelle is this year’s international jury president judging the main competition titles.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter