After its absence from the Cannes lineup, it was inevitable that Michel Franco would probably premiere his latest film at the Venice Film Festival.
We now have confirmation that it is indeed happening, via Film Adores in Spain. Franco’s “Memory,” starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard is going to Venice, most probably in competition.
On 04.20.22 I was the first to break the news that Chastain and Sarsgaard were shooting a new film with Franco. Deadline then reported that the film was called “Memory” and production had wrapped in New York.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but it is said to revolve around a “New York City staycation.”
This will be Franco’s third straight film to premiere on the Lido. The one-two punch of “New Order” and “Sundown” have clearly upped Franco’s stock. Belgian cinematographer Yves Cape photographed the film.
Franco’s Haneke-style nihilism and gloomy outlook on humanity seems to have struck a chord with US producers. He’s been on a roll of late, hopefully his streak continues with “Memory.”
La Repubblica, one of the top Italian medias, recently spitballed the upcoming 80th Venice Film Festival. What we’re looking at here is a potential lineup starting to take shape.
They mention as high possibilities Matteo Garrone’s “Il Capitano,” Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” Saverio Costanzo‘a “Finalmente L’alba,” Kenneth Branagh‘s “Murder in Venice,” Jeymes Samuel‘s “The Book of Clarence,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi/Jimmy Chin’s “Nyad”
The Venice Film Festival, scheduled from August 30th to September 9th, will announce its lineup on July 25th.