The independently run Giornate Degli Autori, a prestigious sidebar of the Venice Film Festival, will open its 23rd edition with the highly anticipated English-language feature "My Notes on Mars," directed by Hungarian filmmaker Lili Horvát. Starring acclaimed actors Mackenzie Davis and Rupert Friend, the film marks Horvát’s first foray into international cinema and is set to premiere on September 2nd, kicking off the section’s run which concludes on September 12th, in tandem with the main Venice Film Festival. This opening selection underscores Giornate Degli Autori’s commitment to showcasing bold directorial visions and compelling narratives from around the globe.
The Giornate Degli Autori, also known as Venice Days, has unveiled a diverse and richly curated lineup for its 23rd edition, with a notable emphasis on works by female directors and films that delve into the complexities of the female experience, irrespective of the director’s gender. This year’s selection comprises a total of 25 world premieres, distributed across various sections, with a significant 14 of these directorial efforts helmed by women. This strong representation of female voices highlights a growing trend in the film industry and aligns with the section’s mission to champion emerging and established talent that push creative boundaries.
"My Notes on Mars" centers on the intriguing premise of Margot, an astrophysicist grappling with a troubled marriage. Her life takes a surreal turn when she vanishes while hiking with her husband, Sam. Weeks later, she inexplicably reappears on the very day of her memorial service, with no recollection of her past life, save for her profound research on Mars. This narrative conceit promises a blend of psychological drama, science fiction elements, and a deep exploration of identity and memory. Horvát’s previous film, "Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time," also premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2020, garnering critical acclaim and establishing her as a filmmaker with a distinctive artistic sensibility. Her return to Venice, with an English-language production featuring a prominent cast, signifies a significant step in her international career.
The competition jury for this year’s Giornate Degli Autori is entirely composed of women, lending a unique perspective to the evaluation of the submitted films. Presiding over the jury is celebrated Spanish director Carla Simón, known for her critically lauded films "Alcarràs" and "Romeria." Joining her are Hania Mroue, the founder and director of Beirut’s esteemed Metropolis Cinema, and Italian director and producer Sara Fgaier. This all-female jury is tasked with assessing the 10 films vying for top honors in the competition section, including "My Notes on Mars."
Beyond the opening film, the competition lineup features a compelling array of international cinema. Polish-born director Kuba Dorabialski’s "Agata the Writer" is set to draw attention. The film stars Mia Wasikowska as a Polish-Australian satirical novelist who travels to Sarajevo with the intention of writing a novel about the Bosnian War, only to find herself challenged by the local community. This narrative promises a nuanced exploration of cultural encounters, historical memory, and the complexities of artistic creation.
Another standout in the competition is Nicola Sorcinelli’s Italian production, "Balcanica." The film follows a group of Afghan musicians who embark on a journey along the Balkan route after music is banned in their homeland. Starring Matilda De Angelis, known for her role in "Citadel: Diana," who also serves as a co-producer on the film, "Balcanica" is poised to be a powerful testament to the resilience of art in the face of oppression.
The competition also includes Nigerian director Damilola Orimogunje’s "Dear Ajayi," a poignant story about two estranged Nigerian sisters who reunite at the wake of a tragedy, offering a deeply personal look at family dynamics and grief. French filmmaker Robert Guédiguian’s "A Woman Today" rounds out some of the key competition entries. This film delves into the life of Juliette, a young woman holding a high-powered finance job, whose world is shattered when she is assaulted by a colleague at a company event, raising critical questions about power, vulnerability, and institutional complicity.
The special events section of the Giornate Degli Autori is equally compelling, showcasing a range of cinematic styles and thematic concerns. Italian director Francesca Archibugi presents "Carla Lonzi, dentro e fuori dal mondo," a documentary exploring the life and work of the radical feminist activist and art critic Carla Lonzi. Dutch-Egyptian director Ashgan El-Hamus makes her debut with "Al Baraneya," a film set in an Egyptian village that centers on a young, pregnant woman contemplating a promising future in the city should her family’s land be sold. The closing film of the festival sidebar is French director Léa Domenach’s "A Man’s Skin," a queer and feminist musical comedy set in the Italian Renaissance. This film reunites Domenach with iconic French actress Catherine Deneuve, following their previous collaboration on the Bernadette Chirac comedy "The President’s Wife."
Adding to the program’s commitment to fostering female talent, the Giornate Degli Autori will also screen short films by established directors Mona Fastvold and Claire Denis as part of the Prada-commissioned Miu Miu Women’s Tales series. This initiative, dedicated to supporting and showcasing short films directed by women, further solidifies the section’s dedication to a diverse and inclusive cinematic landscape.
Gaia Furrer, the artistic director of Giornate Degli Autori, articulated the section’s vision in a statement, highlighting the "variety of narrative forms on display." She described the selection as encompassing "sentimental science fiction, experimental documentaries, history films, family melodramas, anti-hero westerns, musical comedies and other works that freely cross the borders between documentary film and fiction, autobiography and invention." Furrer further elaborated on this artistic philosophy, stating, "It’s a patchwork of genres that reflects the vibrancy of contemporary cinema and its ability to evolve along with the world itself." This statement underscores the section’s embrace of cinematic experimentation and its role in reflecting the dynamic nature of global filmmaking.
This year’s edition of Venice Days is particularly poignant as it is dedicated to the memory of Giorgio Gosetti, the Italian film critic who founded the Venice Days section in 2004. Modeled after the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight and supported by Italian film directors’ associations ANAC and 100autori, Gosetti’s vision established Venice Days as a vital platform for independent cinema. Gosetti passed away in Rome in March at the age of 70. A statement released by the organization noted his profound impact: "For 23 years, without interruption, he was its [Venice Days’] guiding spirit, the lifeblood of the organization, motivating and uniting the professionals that turned it into a festival that is known and respected the world over." His legacy continues to inform the section’s ethos and programming.
The Giornate Degli Autori has consistently served as a crucial incubator for independent cinema, providing a platform for emerging directors and innovative storytelling. Its establishment in 2004 marked a significant addition to the Venice Film Festival’s programming, offering a distinct space for films that might not fit within the more traditional festival selections. The section’s focus on auteur-driven cinema and its commitment to international diversity have made it a highly anticipated event for cinephiles and industry professionals alike. Over the years, Venice Days has premiered films that have gone on to achieve critical and commercial success, solidifying its reputation as a bellwether for new cinematic trends.
The strategic placement of "My Notes on Mars" as the opening film is a testament to its perceived artistic merit and its potential to capture audience attention. The film’s blend of genre elements – psychological thriller, science fiction, and domestic drama – suggests a narrative that can resonate with a broad audience while also offering a thought-provoking cinematic experience. The involvement of Mackenzie Davis, known for her roles in "Blade Runner 2049" and "Station Eleven," and Rupert Friend, who has a distinguished career in both film and television, further amplifies the film’s profile.
The emphasis on female directors and films exploring the female universe within the Giornate Degli Autori lineup reflects a broader industry conversation about representation and inclusivity. The fact that nearly 60% of the films in this year’s selection are directed by women signifies a positive shift, although challenges in achieving full gender parity in filmmaking persist globally. Data from various industry reports consistently show a disparity in the number of women directing feature films compared to their male counterparts. However, initiatives like the Miu Miu Women’s Tales project and the strong presence of female voices at festivals like Venice are crucial in fostering a more equitable landscape.
The inclusion of films like "Agata the Writer," which tackles the complexities of historical narrative and cultural identity, and "Balcanica," which highlights the power of art in the face of adversity, demonstrates the section’s commitment to engaging with urgent global issues through compelling storytelling. Similarly, "Dear Ajayi" and "A Woman Today" promise intimate explorations of personal trauma and societal challenges, offering diverse perspectives on the human condition.
The "Special Events" section, with its documentary on feminist icon Carla Lonzi and its exploration of a young woman’s choices in a traditional Egyptian setting, further broadens the thematic scope of the Giornate Degli Autori. The closing film, "A Man’s Skin," with its queer and feminist musical comedy premise, suggests a vibrant and potentially subversive end to the festival sidebar, aligning with its tradition of showcasing films that challenge conventions.
The legacy of Giorgio Gosetti looms large over this edition. His vision for Venice Days was to create a space that fostered artistic freedom and celebrated the craft of filmmaking. His dedication to supporting directors and building a community around independent cinema has undoubtedly shaped the section into the respected institution it is today. The continuation of his work by Furrer and her team ensures that Venice Days remains a vital force in the international film festival circuit.
The full lineup for the 23rd edition of Venice Days is as follows:
IN COMPETITION
- "Sadness Sometimes, Other Times Revolt," Maria Aparicio
- "Agata the Writer," Kuba Dorabialski
- "Balcanica," Nicola Sorcinelli
- "Camouflage," Mykyta Gibalenko
- "Dear Ajayi," Damilola Orimogunje
- "I Plant My Hand in the Garden," Boris Hadžija and Hoda Taheri
- "Les Indes," Pauline Julier, Nicolas Chapoulier
- "My Notes on Mars," Lili Horvát – Opening Film
- "Salón De Belleza," Nathalia Acevedo
- "A Woman Today," Robert Guédiguian
OUT OF COMPETITION
- "Man’s Skin," Léa Domenach
SPECIAL EVENTS
- "Al Baraneya," Ashgan El-Hamus
- "Carla Lonzi, A Feminist Story," Francesca Archibugi
- "The Phantom," Ignacio Masilorens, David Lamelas
- "The Massacre," Cosimo Messeri
- "Even if Hell Came," Samuele Rossi
WOMEN’S TALES PROJECT (shorts), in collaboration with Prada’s Miu Miu Label
- "Discipline," Mona Fastvold
- "Avec Kim," Claire Denis
The selection promises a rich tapestry of cinematic experiences, reflecting the evolving landscape of global cinema and the enduring power of individual artistic voices. The Giornate Degli Autori continues to be a crucial platform for discovering and celebrating the films that shape the future of cinema.
