International film festivals refuse to give up. Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, directorates continue to hope for major programs in the fall. Focusing on the crowded fall events, the Cannes Film Festival has ditched parallel programs, but continues to work on the main screening. In parallel, negotiations are underway with the Venice Festival to combine the programs.
The management of the Venice Film Festival has confirmed the initial dates of the event. They remained unchanged - September 2-12. At the same time, she emphasizes that this year circumstances force her to experiment. A deliberately smaller number of guests, the absence of Hollywood, as well as the transfer of press conferences online are assumed.
As a rule, many filmmakers include their work in the program of both film festivals. Moreover, according to the established rules, Mostra can select any of them for viewing. In an interview with the Italian agency ANSA, director Alberto Barbera mentioned that he does not exclude collaboration with the Cannes Film Festival, but he did not say what exactly he was talking about. The day before, by the new President of the Venice Festival, former film producer Roberto Cicutto, the actions of the Cannes Directorate, represented by Thierry Fermo, were called “disorienting”. The cinematic public has long hoped for the balanced actions of its competitor.
Such optimism of the leadership of the Venice Festival raises doubts. How are they going to receive guests? Chicutto is sure that it is quite feasible to treat a small number of cinemas with reliable disinfectants. But who will they be for? It is not known whether the borders of the European Union will open by September. What will happen to air traffic? Are there many desperate daredevils to be locked in a confined space for many hours with potential carriers of the coronavirus? Who wants to travel to one of the worst-hit northern Italy?
Against this backdrop, the beaches of the island of Lido are serene and inviting. Italy seems to have stabilized the situation and the pandemic began to decline. In Austria, the situation is even better. But in the near located France it is still not so rosy. Not a single predictor would risk giving a forecast for the coming months, let alone September. It is likely that a new wave of the disease may begin by the fall. For many years, the Venice Film Festival has served as a platform for premieres of new Oscar-nominated films.
The film industry is in such a lull right now that the oldest film festival could give it a great shake-up. But the question arises: is it worth risking the health and life of yours and your loved ones for the sake of the bonus? The answer to it can only be given by the person himself.
