Venice Chief Alberto Barbera on Landing Robert Pattinson Film ‘Primetime’ at the Last Minute and Lack of U.S. Studios at the Festival: They Are ‘Experiencing an Identity Crisis’
Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera said the reduced presence of US studio and streaming films reflects turmoil within the industry rather than a loss of interest in Venice. He argued that mergers, stalled decision-making and uncertainty over film marketing have left fewer auteur-led projects available for festivals, although Venice has still assembled a high-profile international programme.
The lineup includes films from Martin McDonagh, Danny Boyle, Werner Herzog, Nanni Moretti, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Lee Chang-dong, alongside Robert Pattinson’s “Primetime”, secured late, and an Oasis reunion documentary. Barbera said Warner Bros. chose to bypass autumn festivals for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Tom Cruise film “Digger” as a marketing decision, while also acknowledging that only one female director is competing this year.
- Venice blames fewer US films on studio upheaval, not festival rejection.
- International directors and stars still dominate the programme.
- Barbera says film marketing methods need rethinking.