Paolo Strippoli's 'L'estranea' Premieres in Venice Competition

Paolo Strippoli's film 'L'estranea' (The Stranger) is competing at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The psychological thriller and family saga stars Jasmine Trinca as Anna, a mother who reveals to her daughter that her entire life has been a lie, orchestrated by a mysterious woman played by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. The narrative explores themes of fate, free will, and illusion, as Anna's family—including her husband, played by Adriano Giannini, and their children—faces a series of tragic events triggered by a Faustian pact. The film's spiral motif symbolizes the inescapable cycle of choices and consequences. Strippoli, known for 'Piove' and 'La valle dei sorrisi', blends genres from thriller to apocalyptic horror, drawing on philosophical references from Spinoza to Camus. The review, written by Barbara Frigerio, was published on Artribune on September 2026.