Venezia 75 Opens with First Man and Sulla mia pelle
The 75th Venice Film Festival opened on August 29, 2018, with two claustrophobic true stories: Damien Chazelle's 'First Man' about Neil Armstrong and Alessio Cremonini's 'Sulla mia pelle' about Stefano Cucchi. The festival's opening title sequence was criticized as disappointing compared to previous editions, though Mattotti's poster was praised. Preparations included red carpet safety tests, bodyguard rehearsals, and photographers testing angles. The author reflects on the irony of celebrating cinema amid dark times, citing Leopardi. Both films share motifs of bruised eyes and women watching through glass. 'First Man' premieres in competition, while 'Sulla mia pelle' opens the Orizzonti section. The author questions the need for fictionalized accounts of real events, preferring archival footage of Armstrong's moon landing and noting the ongoing legal process in Cucchi's case.
Key facts
- The 75th Venice Film Festival opened on August 29, 2018.
- Damien Chazelle's 'First Man' about Neil Armstrong premiered in competition.
- Alessio Cremonini's 'Sulla mia pelle' about Stefano Cucchi opened the Orizzonti section.
- The opening title sequence was considered a disappointment.
- Mattotti created the festival poster.
- Both films feature protagonists with bruised eyes and women watching through glass.
- Preparations included red carpet safety tests and bodyguard rehearsals.
- The author cites Leopardi on the lightness before a party.
Entities
Artists
- Damien Chazelle
- Alessio Cremonini
- Neil Armstrong
- Stefano Cucchi
- Ryan Gosling
- Alessandro Borghi
- Mattotti
- Giacomo Leopardi
- Ilaria Cucchi
Institutions
- Venice Film Festival
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arizona
- Moon