Queer Lion...@ Venice International Film Festival
9 - 12 September 2015
Heading the jury is American writer Alonso Duralde, Programmer for L.A. Outfest, pre-screener for the Sundance Film Festival, former arts and entertainment editor at the Advocate, film reviews editor for TheWrap; the other jury members are Daniel N. Casagrande, Founder of Queer Lion Award, journalist, member of the National Union of Italian Film Critics, teacher of History of Cinematographic Language and Marco Busato, Founder member and General Delegate of cultural association CinemArte, translator, academic in Cinema history.
The Nominations...
The Danish Girl by Tom Hooper with Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander (Uk/Usa, 120’) Venezia 72
Copenhagen, early Twenties. The Danish artist Gerda Wegener paints a portrait of her husband Einer dressed up as a woman. The painting gains a huge success and Einar starts permanently assuming a female appearance, changing his name to Lili Elbe. Inspired by feminist ideals and supported by the wife, Elbe attempts the first-ever male to female sex reassignment surgery, deeply affecting his marriage and identity.
Desde allá by Lorenzo Vigas with Alfredo Castro, Luis Silva (Venezuela, 93’) Venezia 72
In the chaotic Caracas, Armando, owner of a dental prosthesis laboratory, lurks nearby bus stations, approaches young boys and offers them money to accompany him home. Armando also uses to spy an old man, the place where he lives and the ones where he goes. Perhaps there is something in the past that links both of them. One day Armando brings home with him the 18-year-old Elder, head of a small gang of vandals. It’s the start of a relationship that will change their lives forever.
Spotlight by Thomas McCarthy with Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton (Usa, 123’) Fuori Concorso
In 2001, the Boston Globe conducted a report that shook the foundation of the city and shocked the world. Spotlight tells the story of this investigation, led by the members of the Globe detective team Spotlight. They uncovered the strategic blanketing by the Archdiocese of Boston on sexual abuses against children by several priests. Spotlight casts a new light on the investigations of men and women working to denounce the scandal.
Janis by Amy Berg (Usa, 115’) Fuori Concorso
The documentary follows the main stages of Janis Joplin’s life, from her performance at Monterey Pop in 1967 to Woodstock in 1969 and Festival Express in 1970, including interviews with relatives, friends and rock stars of her time. The soundtrack features Janis Joplin’s hits, among which Cry Baby, Mercedes Benz and Piece of My Heart. Amy Berg shows the woman behind the myth, other than the rock&roll icon, unveils a gentle, innocent yet strong woman. Well known as rock icon, the personal story of Janis Joplin is very complex. Janis serves as a narrator, telling us her life through the letters she wrote to her friends, relatives and lovers, leading us in a journey that starts from her childhood.
La calle de la amargura by Arturo Ripstein with Patricia Reyes Spíndola, Nora Velázquez (Mexico/Spain, 99’) Fuori Concorso
Two old prostitutes go back to their hovels. One of them has problems with the teenage daughter and the husband devoted to cross-dressing. The other one lives completely alone, with no ties. However, that night they have an appointment to celebrate the in-ring victory of two midget wrestlers. The film is based on the true story of two wrestlers found dead in a Cuauhtemoc hotel in Mexico City, presumably poisoned by the two women.
Lama Azavtani by Hadar Morag with Muhammad Daas, Yuval Gurevich (Israel/France, 94’) Orizzonti
A rejected boy from the fringes of society discovers a distant, enigmatic man, a lone ranger who dominates the back alleys of a filthy city. Stubborn and tenacious, the boy instills himself under the man`s wing. In their struggle for self-control, their attempts to restrain themselves get out of hand.
Arianna by Carlo Lavagna with Ondina Quadri, Massimo Popolizio (Italy, 84’) 12. Giornate degli Autori
Arianna is nineteen, but she’s still waiting to get her first period. As the summer begins, her parents decide to renew their acquaintance with their country house on Lake Bolsena, where Arianna lived until she was three, and has never been back. As the family settle in for the summer, long-repressed memories start to re-emerge, and Arianna decides to stay on after her parents return to the city.