Venice Film Festival Chief Alberto Barbera on Robert Pattinson, Lack of Studio Movies
Alberto Barbera, the chief of the Venice Film Festival, has achieved a remarkable feat this year by curating a highly anticipated lineup featuring numerous stars, despite the absence of major U.S. studio and streamer films. Barbera discusses the changing studio landscape and its impact on film festivals.
Barbera addresses the scarcity of Hollywood films at the festival, emphasizing that it's not a reflection of studios' disinterest in Venice. He attributes the issue to the studios' internal struggles and identity crises, which have led to a lack of auteur films typically destined for festivals. Barbera highlights the marketing choice made by Warner Bros. with "Digger," starring Tom Cruise, bypassing fall festivals for a direct theater release, as an exception rather than a rule.
The real challenge, according to Barbera, lies in promoting films effectively. He notes that traditional marketing tools are no longer sufficient, and studios are grappling with the lack of viable alternatives. This has resulted in some films being released directly in theaters, aiming for a surprise effect. Barbera mentions the challenges faced by films like "The Social Reckoning" and "The Adventures of Cliff Booth," citing unforeseen delays as the primary obstacle.
Barbera refutes the notion that studios' attitude towards festivals has drastically changed. He suggests that the absence of films is a temporary contingency, and the future may bring a resurgence of studio involvement in festivals. He points to A24's decision to premiere "Primetime" at Venice, despite the previous failure of "Smashing Machine," as an example of studios' continued faith in the festival's potential.
Barbera also addresses the gender imbalance in the competition section, acknowledging the lower quality of women-directed submissions. He emphasizes the festival's commitment to gender parity and quality, rejecting the idea of bias. Barbera highlights the importance of objective judgment based on film quality, rather than gender considerations.
Barbera's insights offer a nuanced perspective on the evolving relationship between studios, streamers, and film festivals, emphasizing the need for adaptability and a focus on quality in an ever-changing cinematic landscape.
