Venice Film Festival: Stars, Politics, and Cooler Weather

The 82nd Venice Film Festival is set to dazzle with a star-studded lineup, but not everyone is showing up. Julia Roberts will grace the Lido for the first time, while Gal Gadot is notably absent. The festival, running from August 27 to September 6, will feature a mix of high-profile movies and political drama. George Clooney and Adam Sandler will be there for Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly, ” while Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt will attend for Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine. ” Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac are also expected, with Isaac starring in both “Frankenstein” and “In The Hand of Dante. ” Netflix is making a strong presence with three films in competition: “Jay Kelly, ” “Frankenstein, ” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite. ” The festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, mentioned that almost all key cast members are expected, except for Gadot and Al Pacino, who stars in “Dead Man’s Wire. ” Gadot’s absence comes amid controversy over her support for Israel and the recent box office flop of “Snow White, ” which coincided with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests. The festival did not comment on her absence, but politics will likely play a significant role. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are expected, including one planned for August 30 and another during the screening of “The Voice of Hind Rajab, ” a film about a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza. Olivier Assayas’ “The Wizard of the Kremlin” and Alexander Rodnyansky’s “Notes of a True Criminal” will also bring political tension, focusing on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Unlike last year’s scorching heat, this year’s weather is expected to be cooler, with highs in the mid-70s and occasional rain. The festival promises a mix of glamour, drama, and political discussions.