The 83rd Venice International Film Festival runs from September 2 through September 12, with its late July selection drawing intense political scrutiny from the Ukrainian government and international cultural critics over contested financing and geopolitical themes in the main competition. According to the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the inclusion of Ilya Krzanowski’s project “DAU” in the main competition warrants sharp condemnation because the project received funding from Russian businessman Sergei Adonov, who appears on United States and Ukrainian sanctions lists and maintains confirmed ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Ukrainian authorities also pointed to lead actor Teodor Kurentzis, who accepted Russian citizenship granted by Putin and advanced his musical career through financing from Russian state banks and cultural institutions placed under international sanctions. “We call on the Venice festival and the cultural community to realize how Russia is transforming culture into a tool of hybrid warfare, and to cease perceiving cultural projects supported by the Kremlin as politically neutral,” the ministries stated in a joint declaration.
Festival Leadership Defends Selection Amid Geopolitical Tension
Responding directly to the appeal from Ukrainian officials, Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera argued in an interview with Variety that “DAU” is not “pro-Putin propaganda” but rather “an image condemning totalitarian regimes and their interference in the lives of citizens,” adding that the film was produced as a German-French-Swedish co-production. Barbera emphasized that the primary criterion for qualification remains the quality of the films.
“Political accents in this year’s program are stronger than in previous years,” Barbera noted, pointing out that the chosen films address major global issues ranging from wars, immigration, and climate change to growing social tensions and shrinking spaces for freedom.
The main competition features multiple politically charged titles. Organizers added the Palestinian documentary “NAZA” by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, which examines the killing of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army. The film competes alongside Ali Asgari’s “A bit of light,” which focuses on an Iranian doctor arrested in Tehran. Out-of-competition sections feature Ahmed Hassouny’s “Citizen Osama,” chronicling a journalist in northern Gaza, and Julia Loktev’s “My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile,” following young journalists fleeing Moscow after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alexandre Smi’s feature “Jupiter” transports viewers to the Elysée Palace, where newly elected French president Paul Archambault faces the threat of a nuclear conflict.
Gender Representation and Missing Hollywood Blockbusters
The main competition also drew criticism for a significant gender imbalance among directors. Out of 21 productions competing for the Golden Lion, only one film—May el-Toukhy’s “Woman Unknown,” a story of a Danish woman who engages in an intimate relationship with a German soldier during World War II—was directed by a woman.
Barbera defended the lineup by citing quality criteria and historical context. “I don’t think we can be accused of bias, because since 2000 Venice has awarded main prizes to more female directors than Cannes, Berlin, or other festivals,” Barbera explained to Variety, noting that women chair three separate juries this year and that the festival received fewer submissions from female directors compared to previous years.
Did you know? George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn will both receive awards during the opening gala of the 83rd Venice Film Festival.
Contrary to earlier industry speculation, major American productions such as David Fincher’s “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” from a script by Quentin Tarantino and Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune 3” will not appear on the Lido. However, the program features high-profile international titles, including Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine” starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, and Werner Herzog’s “Bucking Fastard” with Rooney Mara and Kate Mara. Florian Zeller presents “Bunker” featuring Spanish stars Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, while Lance Oppenheim’s NBC reality-focused “Primetime” stars Phoebe Bridgers and Robert Pattinson.
Italian Cinema and Competition Highlights
Italian cinema maintains a substantial presence in the main competition. Nanni Moretti presents “It Will Happen Tonight,” an adaptation of Israeli writer Eshkol Nevo’s short story collection about two people whose paths cross repeatedly at inopportune moments. Andrea Pallaoro’s “The echo chamber” explores love, longing, and desire based on Bernardo Bertolucci’s final screenplay. Paolo Strippoli’s “The Spiral” and Edoardo De Angelis’s “The Fire Within You” both explore maternal themes.
In the Orizzonti competition, Grzegorz Dębowski presents “Other People’s Things” (“Cudze rzeczy”), following a woman who makes a living by burgling apartments before posing as the partner of a deceased homeowner. The film stars Monika Kwiatkowska and competes against 18 other productions, including Robert Greene’s “Too Much Sugar” and Alina Marazzi’s “La ragazza con la Leica.”
The Venice Classics program features restored Polish masterpieces, including Andrzej Wajda’s “Popiół i diament” and Roman Polanski’s “Matnia,” alongside Roberto Rossellini’s “Journey to Italy” and Luis Buñuel’s “The Illusion Travels by Tram.” Additionally, the Giornate degli Autori section screens Kuba Dorabialski’s “Agata The Writer,” starring Mia Wasikowska as an author traveling to Sarajevo to write a war novel.
The international jury determining the Golden Lion winner is chaired by American actress, director, and writer Maggie Gyllenhaal, alongside Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, British composer Daniel Blumberg, French director Xavier Giannoli, Yale film studies professor Francesco Casetti, Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Hong Kong producer Johnnie To. The winner will be announced on Saturday, September 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 83rd Venice International Film Festival take place?
The festival runs from September 2 to September 12.
Who is heading the main competition jury?
American actress, director, and writer Maggie Gyllenhaal serves as the jury president.
Why did Ukrainian ministries criticize the festival selection?
The Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine criticized the inclusion of Ilya Krzanowski’s “DAU” due to its funding from sanctioned Russian businessman Sergei Adonov and the involvement of actor Teodor Kurentzis, who accepted Russian citizenship.
Which Polish films are featured in Venice Classics?
Andrzej Wajda’s “Popiół i diament” and Roman Polanski’s “Matnia” are featured in the classic retrospective section.