The prestigious Venice Film Festival is set for a landmark edition this year, with Hollywood icon Julia Roberts confirmed to make her long-awaited debut at the event. Her upcoming film, After the Hunt, will premiere outside the main competition, yet headlines a diverse and charged programme that also features Jude Law as Vladimir Putin, a Gaza war drama, and the latest from cinematic heavyweights like Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo del Toro, and Jim Jarmusch.
Julia Roberts Graces Venice for the First Time
Roberts stars in After the Hunt, an Amazon Studios production directed by Italy’s Luca Guadagnino. The film delves into the complexities of a sexual assault case at an elite American university — a fittingly topical narrative for a festival increasingly embracing socially urgent storytelling.
Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera confirmed Roberts' participation during the unveiling of this year’s programme, calling her arrival “a significant moment” for the festival. “It is the first time that Julia Roberts will walk the red carpet of the Venice Film Festival so we’re very happy to have her,” he said.
High-Profile Contenders Compete for the Golden Lion
In the official competition for the Golden Lion, a mix of established auteurs and daring narratives will dominate the Lido. Among them:
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The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas, casts Jude Law as Russian President Vladimir Putin in a chilling political portrait adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s best-selling novel about power in the Kremlin.
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Kathryn Bigelow returns with A House of Dynamite, a tense thriller from the American Oscar-winning director known for The Hurt Locker.
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Father Mother Sister Brother, by indie icon Jim Jarmusch, boasts a star-studded ensemble including Adam Driver and Cate Blanchett.
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Benny Safdie’s much-anticipated The Smashing Machine sees Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson transform into a troubled 1990s wrestling legend, with Emily Blunt receiving early praise for her supporting role.
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A bold new vision of Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro, produced by Netflix, also makes the cut, showcasing what Barbera called “an extraordinary level of creative investment”.
Comedy, Introspection, and Star Collaborations
Comedy also finds its place in the lineup. Jay Kelly, directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written with Greta Gerwig, presents George Clooney as an actor spiralling into an identity crisis. The film is expected to balance sharp wit with poignant introspection — hallmarks of Baumbach’s best work.
Political Reality Takes the Spotlight: The Voice of Hind Rajab
In what Barbera describes as “one of the most impactful films of the festival”, The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania brings the tragedy of the Gaza conflict into stark cinematic focus. The film reconstructs the final moments of six-year-old Hind Rajab, killed during an Israeli offensive in Gaza City in January 2024.
Using real phone calls and first-hand interviews with Hind’s relatives, the film offers a harrowing account of her final hours — trapped in a car surrounded by dead family members and desperately calling for help. The film also honours two Red Crescent workers who were killed after responding to her location.
While Barbera expressed hope for thoughtful engagement rather than controversy, he acknowledged the film’s emotional gravity: “I’m moved when I think of the movie.”
A Festival That Reflects a Changing World
Running from August 27 to September 9, the 2024 edition of the Venice Film Festival continues its evolution into a global cultural flashpoint — one that not only celebrates cinematic excellence but also dares to confront uncomfortable truths.
With its potent mix of glamour, geopolitical insight, and raw human stories, this year’s Venice slate is shaping up to be one of the most significant in recent memory — a mirror to our times, held up through the lens of cinema.