Another day, another festival lineup. Less than 24 hours after the Toronto International Film Festival announced its Gala and Special Presentation programs, Venice Days, The Venice Film Festival’s independent arm modeled on Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, has revealed its slate.
Of 12 films screening in Competition, four are directed by women, amounting to 33 percent of the lineup. When last year’s lineup was announced, 36 percent of the Competition was women-directed. Offerings this year include Shirin Neshat’s “Looking For Oum Kulthum,” a drama about an Iranian female filmmaker working on a project about iconic Arab singer Oum Kulthum, and Valentina Pedicini’s “Where Shadows Fall,” the story of a nurse and assistant working at a retirement home. The pair have the spirits of children, but are stuck in adult bodies.
Venice Days’ Special Events screenings leave something to be desired — namely any films helmed by women. Zero of six films in this year’s program are women-directed. Last year Sophia Takal’s “Always Shine,” a portrait of two dysfunctional actress friends, screened in this section.
Of three Special Screenings, two are helmed by women: “I’M (endless like the space)” by Anne-Riitta Ciccone, and “Raccontare Venezia” by Wilma Labate.
Chloe Sevigny’s “Carmen” and Celia Rowlson-Hall’s “(The [End) of History Illusion]” will screen in the Women’s Tales Project lineup, which features shorts.
Venice Days runs concurrently with the Venice Film Festival, set to take place August 30-September 9.
Check out all of the women-directed films announced as part of the lineup below. List adapted from Variety.
COMPETITION
“Where Shadows Fall,” Valentina Pedicini (Italy)
“Life Guidance,” Ruth Mader (Austria)
“Looking For Oum Kulthum,” Shirin Neshat (Germany, Austria, Italy)
“M,” Sara Forestier (France)
WOMEN’S TALES PROJECT (shorts), in collaboration with Prada’s Miu Miu Label
“Carmen,” Chloe Sevigny (Italy, U.S.)
“(The [End) of History Illusion],” Celia Rowlson-Hall (Italy, U.S.)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
“I’M (endless like the space),” Anne-Riitta Ciccone (Italy)
“Raccontare Venezia,” Wilma Labate (Italy, France)
