VENICE, Italy (AP) - Julia Roberts is making her much-anticipated debut at the Venice Film Festival with her latest film, After the Hunt, which is set to premiere on Friday evening. This psychosexual drama places its narrative within the context of higher education, where Roberts portrays a highly regarded professor.
In this compelling storyline, Roberts' character faces a significant challenge when her mentee, played by Ayo Edebiri, accuses her colleague and friend, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, of unethical behavior. The film, directed by Italian auteur Luca Guadagnino, promises to delve deep into complex themes surrounding power dynamics and ethical boundaries in the academic world.
Guadagnino is no stranger to the Venice Film Festival, having previously presented acclaimed films such as Queer featuring Daniel Craig and the critically acclaimed Bones & All starring Timothée Chalamet. His tennis-themed love triangle film, Challengers, which featured Zendaya, was originally slated to open the festival. However, it was pulled due to the Hollywood strikes affecting many productions throughout the year.
The ensemble cast of After the Hunt includes notable Guadagnino collaborators like Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny, further enriching the film's depth and appeal. Following its premiere at the festival, Amazon MGM Studios is set to release the film theatrically in North America on October 10, 2023.
Although After the Hunt is screening out of competition at the Venice Film Festival—meaning it will not contend for any major awards—festival director Alberto Barbera noted that the film was strong enough to qualify for competition, but the studio opted for a different route. This decision has sparked discussions about the film's merit and potential impact on awards season.
As the 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival continues, the event is bustling with anticipation as it hosts numerous high-profile premieres, including upcoming films such as Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, Benny Safdie's The Smashing Machine, and Kathryn Bigelow's A House of Dynamite.
For ongoing coverage of the Venice Film Festival and its exciting lineup of films, you can visit the official coverage page at: https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival.
Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
