2056 huge risk
Over the past ten years, the three major European film festivals have been proactively making adjustments in the hope of keeping up with the times, and Venice is no exception..
After the new century, Venice also tried to open its arms to accept Hollywood films - not only art films, but also other star-studded films. After all, the powerful influence of Hollywood cannot be ignored in Europe. However, due to strong protests within the Italian film industry and Opposition failed to be implemented unswervingly, and sporadic cooperation was carried out from time to time. Unfortunately, fate failed to form a system intermittently, and influence could not be condensed..
When Mark Muller served as the chairman of the film festival, his public relations skills and strong connections were undoubtedly awe-inspiring, which also made Venice completely closely connected with Asian films, and at the same time narrowed the distance with Hollywood; but precisely It is also because Mark Muller is a good dancer and he understands the importance of "trade-offs" best. He often bows to the conservatives and die-hards in the country and seeks a moderate balance. This is why Venice's artistic positioning has not been fully established..
When Alberto took office as the chairman of the Venice Film Festival, they needed to find clear ideas among the chaos. Among them, the United States, as the largest market in the global film industry, how to cooperate is still a difficult problem that Alberto needs to think about and solve. , and the situation he faces is even more complicated.
At this time, the entire "Cannes style" style climate has become established, and the close relationship between Hollywood movies and Cannes can no longer be severed. Most of the excellent American films' first choice for participating in the film festival is Cannes, while Venice can only miss out; then they have to face Toronto Most of the time, you can only pick and choose among the leftovers. There is really not much choice, and then form a vicious circle, like a quagmire..
Since taking office, Alberto has been trying to adjust little by little..
2012In 2017, three American films were shortlisted for the main competition in Venice: Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master," Terrence Malick's "To Wonderland" and Harmony-Korine's "Spring Breakers." All three works have received considerable praise, among which "The Master" won the Silver Lion Award and the Best Actor Award..
2013In 2016, five American films were shortlisted for the main competition in Venice, including James Franco's "Son of God," Errol Morris's "Rumsfeld: Narrative," and David Gordon Green's "Jo", Kelly-Reichardt's "Night Moves", Peter-Landesman's "Parkland Hospital"”.
Among them, David Gordon Green and Kelly Reichardt are all outstanding directors in the field of independent films, and Errol Morris is a big name in the documentary field, but Peter Landesman and James Fraser Lan Ke has never produced anything worth mentioning in the field of directing, and he can even be said to be a novice..
As a result, the average quality of the five works was far lower than expected, making Venice controversial - with "The Balladeer," "Only Lovers," "Nebraska," and "Behind the Candelabra" that landed at Cannes in the same year. "In comparison, there is more than one level difference. In addition, the final Golden Lion Award was awarded to the Italian local film "Rome Ring Road" - which is known as the worst Golden Lion in Venice since the millennium. It makes Venice even more Controversial.
Whether it is Italy or other countries, all media are complaining about Venice: In order to please Hollywood and to please Italy, they have forgotten the core essence of the film festival. After all, it still needs to be based on works. Excellent works are the unshakable part of the film festival. The soul, Alberto tried to complete the check and balance but ended up with Zhu Bajie looking in the mirror.：
Not human inside or outside.
In fact, Alberto cannot be blamed for this. His position is also very difficult. The chairman of the Venice Film Festival is trying to survive through cracks. Any reform will face the interference of countless opinions. There are countless opinions from insiders and laymen, even Mark, who is good at dancing. Mueller has not been able to change such a deadlock - no wonder everyone says that Italy is the China of Europe.
However, after two years of running-in and groping, Alberto still vaguely found some ideas: I don’t know if this is the correct answer for the time being, but after all, you still need to try it to know the result, right?？
Hollywood.
The answer is Hollywood.
The timing of the Venice Film Festival collides with that of Toronto. With the rise of Toronto, more and more American films are more willing to premiere in Toronto, and then start public relations operations during the awards season; but the disadvantage of Toronto is that it does not have Setting up a jury award is just the People’s Choice Award, which is still lacking for the operation of professional reputation during the awards season. This is Venice’s opportunity.——
In any case, Venice is one of the three major film festivals in Europe and the oldest film festival, isn't it?？
Last year was the best example: "Gravity" chose to have its world premiere in Venice, and even Cannes was jealous. Unfortunately, this work was not able to participate in the main competition, and then "Rome Ring Road" Winning the Golden Lion Award only made more media sigh and exclaim..
Later, it also proved the powerful influence of "Gravity". It swept all the way from the box office to the awards. Even though it unfortunately missed the Oscar for Best Picture in the end, it was still the most influential work in the world in 2013..
Assuming that "Gravity" is shortlisted for the main competition in Venice and wins the Golden Lion Award, then this should be enough to become the most high-profile film in Venice in the ten years after "Brokeback Mountain" won the Golden Lion Award. It’s a grand event: attention, popularity, and reputation are there.
For Alberto, this is an arithmetic problem, and it is not a difficult arithmetic problem. If the Venice Film Festival can truly become the starting point of the awards season, attracting all Hollywood superstars and outstanding Oscar-winning works, ,So——
Excellent works are not a problem, nor are popular superstars. Venice's predicament can be solved in the short term; moreover, it can also slightly steal the limelight of Cannes - Cannes is too far away from the Oscars, from the perspective of publicity strategy and discussion enthusiasm. Said that Venice is more suitable for awards season works.
Of course, this also requires taking risks: at the risk of Venice becoming the "back garden of awards season", it is natural for Toronto to become the back garden of Hollywood, but what about Venice?？
This is a decision that Alberto needs to make. In addition, this is a key link that Alberto needs to convince Italian industry professionals - how to find a balance between Italian films and American films, and how to use American films to create topics and attract Other films are participating, and how to find Venice's place among the films during the awards season. All of these are problems that Mark Muller was not able to solve back then. Alberto also needs to face them now..
Today, I made a special trip to New Orleans to visit the class, which is related to Alberto’s next plan..
If it was just for Renly as an actor, there was no need for Alberto to make a special trip to visit the crew. A one-on-one phone invitation would have been sincere; but Alberto also hoped that through Renly, he would open the door to Strategic cooperation plan for Hollywood independent films：
Alberto had heard about the rumors about the Sundance Film Festival and Sisyphus Films; in addition, Alberto also knew about Renly's close contact with the Berlin Film Festival; plus Renly's knowledge of the global film market strong influence and appeal, which has become a decisive factor.
Alberto's trip was specifically to invite Renly to attend the Venice Film Festival, which is crucial to the future planning of the entire film festival..
What was a little surprising was that during the short meeting between Alberto and Renly, inspiration burst out uncontrollably, and there was something unstoppable about it.——
If Renly can serve as the chairman of the jury of the Venice Film Festival, it goes without saying that attention and popularity will be given. The most important thing is Venice’s artistic positioning..
Over the years, Renly's vision for selecting movies has reflected his artistic taste and professionalism, and his heritage as a hereditary noble is the icing on the cake. This has given Renly enough prestige in the industry: his ability to appreciate art is worthy of recognition. , there are bound to be many artistic creators willing to communicate, discuss, argue, and debate with Renly. This is undoubtedly a crucial link for the atmosphere of the film festival..
On the one hand, this can set an artistic tone for the film festival; on the other hand, it can also attract more works to be willing to sign up for Venice. This will form a virtuous circle and stabilize Venice in the midst of turmoil - of course, Blue Ceremony is not the savior of Venice, and it cannot easily solve the many stubborn problems of the film festival; but at least it can provide a direction and a bright light for the film festival, allowing Alberto to find more effective solutions: having a start.
The position of the jury president is far from being as simple as imagined. This is true for Berlin and Cannes, and Venice is no exception..
It's just that... the situation in Italy is really too complicated. There is nothing Mark Muller can accomplish, and Alberto cannot accomplish it overnight..
Although the idea was very tempting, in the end, Alberto calmed down, temporarily put away the temporary inspiration that burst out in his mind, and focused on his original plan.：
He still needs to avoid being too hasty and not become fat in one bite. He first invites Renly to participate in the main competition unit, and then strengthens the connection between Renly and Venice step by step. He looks forward to having Renly become the main competition unit jury in Venice in the future. Chairman, and ignited the chemical reaction between Venice and Hollywood movies, growing the camp step by step, truly allowing Venice to gain a foothold in the global film industry.
Although the proposal of the Chairman of the Jury is almost impossible, there is no obstacle to inviting Renly to participate in the main competition unit..
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