The 80th Venice Film Festival commenced Wednesday on the Lido island in Italy, bringing together a diverse lineup of films amid a backdrop of political commentary and industry reflection. George Clooney, who is set to receive a lifetime achievement award during the opening ceremony, used the platform to express concerns about the current state of U.S. politics, describing it as a “kakistocracy,” a term referring to a government run by the least qualified individuals. Clooney characterized the period as “unfortunate” but optimistic that the country would overcome the challenges.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, president of the festival’s jury, highlighted the underrepresentation of female directors in the main competition, noting that only two women were competing and identifying the issue as part of a broader systemic problem in the film industry.
The festival, running through Sept. 12, diverges from recent years by featuring fewer mainstream Hollywood premieres, reflecting a trend among studios to avoid the festival circuit in favor of controlled releases. Despite this, the event boasts a variety of films covering prominent real-life figures and complex themes. Among the most notable are portraits of Elon Musk, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and the Gallagher brothers of the British band Oasis.
Opening the festival, Danny Boyle’s “Ink” explores Rupert Murdoch’s ascent in the British media landscape. Martin McDonagh’s “Wild Horse Nine,” starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, portrays unconventional CIA agents, while Florian Zeller’s thriller “Bunker” features Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
The competition includes works by veteran director Werner Herzog, whose film “Bucking Fastard” stars Kate and Rooney Mara, and Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime,” a documentary about a reality TV show focused on crime, involving Robert Pattinson.
A notable documentary entry is “Naza,” directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, which examines the killings of civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces. The directors previously won an Oscar for their 2024 documentary “No Other Land,” which focused on the displacement of a Palestinian community in the West Bank. This year, multiple films address the Palestinian situation and broader Middle Eastern issues, with festival artistic director Alberto Barbera affirming the presence of “no fewer than four films” covering the Palestinian conflict and the situation in Iran.
Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s ambitious project “DAU,” centered on Soviet physicists, has drawn criticism from the Ukrainian government for alleged ties to Russian state influence. Khrzhanovsky rejected these claims, stating his renunciation of Russian citizenship in protest of the war in Ukraine and emphasizing that the film serves as an artistic exploration of totalitarianism.
The festival will also screen the Disney-produced documentary “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” chronicling the 2025 reunion tour of Oasis and the reconciliation of brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, who are expected to attend the film’s premiere.
Despite its prestigious reputation, Venice’s 2026 edition underscores the shifting dynamics of the global film industry, balancing political commentary, independent storytelling, and the waning presence of large studio productions.