American Actress, Producer and Director Maggie Gyllenhaal will serve as Jury President for the Main Competition, of which there are twenty-one films all competing for the prestigious Golden Lion. Among the line-up are the following titles :-
* 'Bunker' - from France and Spain and Written and Directed by Florian Zeller. This psychological thriller film centres around an architect's marriage which is put to the test after he accepts a project to build a bunker for a billionaire. Starring Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Stephen Graham, Paul Dano, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Mark Gatiss. World Premiere.
* 'Company' - from the USA, Canada, Romania, Italy and the UAE, this mystery film is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Casey Affleck. Set on a winter night in 1975, the film sees a mysterious woman who arrives uninvited at a holiday gathering and tell the story of Tom, an aging hermit who rescues a stranded Actress during a Colorado blizzard more than 20 years earlier. To pass the night, the Actress recounts an older tale of a farming couple who take in a troubled young drifter as a series of grisly murders spreads fear across the frontier. Starring Nick Nolte, Ben Mendelsohn, Scoot McNairy, Adelaide Clemens, Emily Alyn Lind and Caylee Cowan. World Premiere.
* 'Ink' - refer above under Opening Night Film presentation.
* 'Look Back' - from Japan, this coming-of-age drama film is Written for the screen, Directed and Edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The overly confident and popular student Fujino (Natsuki Deguchi) and the shut-in with severe social anxiety Kyomoto (Aju Makita) couldn’t be more different, but a love of drawing manga brings these two small-town girls together. World Premiere.
* 'Primetime' - from the USA and this thriller film is Directed by Lance Oppenheim. The film follows the production of the reality television series 'To Catch a Predator', which in 2006 featured host Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) confronting child sexual predators who would arrive at a sting house and typically get arrested as a result. Also starring Merritt Weaver, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Bokeem Woodbine, Anna Faris, Tony Revolori and Alex Winter. World Premiere.
In addition, American Actress Ellen Burstyn and American Actor, Producer and Director George Clooney will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during the festival. Italian Director and Producer Luca Guadagnino is the recipient of the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award dedicated to a personality who has made a particularly original contribution to the contemporary film industry. Italian Actress Serena Rossi is the recipient of the Campari Passion for Film Award created to honour the talent, dedication, and bold artistic vision of those who transform passion into a driving creative force.
For the details of the other feature films being showcased in the Main Competition, plus the other competitive strands, and non-competitive sections being screened, together with a whole lot of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.labiennale.org
Turning the attention then back to this weeks major haul of ten new release movies coming to a big screen Odeon near you, we kick off with a post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi in which survivors of a deadly pandemic traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape to find the origin of a mysterious radio transmission. Then we turn to an erotic comedy thriller where a fresh faced unmotivated twenty-something lands an exciting job for a renowned artist, icon and provocateur where his fantasies come true as she taps him to become her sexual muse. Next up is a drama offering whereby the estranged sons of a reclusive novelist are called to meet him after he becomes convinced he is about to die. Following on we have British gangster film that is the seventh film in the series that sees our protagonist battle ruthless mercenaries throughout Ibiza as he avenges his friend's death. Up next is a Norwegian drama offering that is part of a trilogy of films in which a woman's infatuation with her French teacher ignites tensions within her family; before turning to a French comedy where a man plans to spend a peaceful summer in his in-laws' home, but upon his arrival, a conflict erupts between his fiancee's family and the villa's caretaker couple. This is followed by a South Korean animated drama film where a bullied girl transfers schools hoping for peace, but her past trauma isolates her until she discovers a series of secret letters hidden around the school. And closing out the week we have a trio of Aussie doco's - the first of which traces Lisa Jones Engel's (primatologist turned animal welfare advocate) journey questioning the justification of harming animals and humans for science. Second up we have a struggling Director who documents his journey making a 'mockbuster' in six days, descending into the chaotic world of low-budget filmmaking; and third and finally we have a cinematic portrait of Italian Australian pop icon Tina Arena, unravelling five extraordinary decades devoted to music.
'THE DOG STARS' (Rated MA15+) - is a post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi film that is Co-Produced and Directed by Ridley Scott, who I'm sure needs no introduction. Suffice to say some of his more acclaimed prior feature film making credits take in the likes of 'Alien' in 1979, 'Blade Runner' in 1982, 'Thelma & Louise' in 1992, 'Gladiator' in 2000, 'Black Hawk Down' in 2002, 'American Gangster' in 2007, 'Prometheus' in 2012, 'The Martian' in 2015, 'House of Gucci' in 2021, 'Napoleon' in 2023, and 'Gladiator II' in 2024. This film is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Peter Heller, and is released this week too in the US.
Set after a devastating flu pandemic that has almost wiped out all of humanity, the film centres on Hig (Jacob Elordi), a former civilian pilot, and Bangley (Josh Brolin), a hardened former Marine and military survivalist who has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. When a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown they must confront external threats in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists, and a better life beyond where they currently live. Also starring Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong and Allison Janney.
'I WANT YOUR SEX' (Rated MA15+) - this American erotic comedy thriller film is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Edited by Gregg Araki who made his feature film making debut in 1987 with 'Three Bewildered People in the Night' and which he would follow up with his Teenage Apocalypse trilogy of films being 'Totally F***ed Up' in 1993, 'The Doom Generation' in 1995 and 'Nowhere' in 1997, then 'Mysterious Skin' in 2004, 'Smiley Face' in 2007, 'Kaboom' in 2010 and 'White Bird in a Blizzard' in 2014. Here, when fresh-faced Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) lands an exciting job for renowned artist, icon and provocateur Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), his fantasies come true as Erika taps him to become her sexual muse. But Elliot soon finds himself out of his depth as Erika takes him on a journey more profound than he ever could have imagined, into a world of sex, obsession, power, betrayal and murder. Also starring Mason Gooding, Daveed Diggs, Johnny Knoxville, Charli XCX and Chase Sui Wonders. The film had its Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in late January this year, was released in the US at the end of July, has so far grossed US$1.5M at the Box Office and has garnered generally favourable critical reviews.
'& SONS' (Rated M) - is a US, UK and Canadian Co-Produced drama film that is Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Edited by Pablo Trapero, was written for the screen by Sarah Polley and is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by David Gilbert. Andrew, or A.N. Dyer (Bill Nighy), as he is known to the world, is a famous novelist whose first novel became an instant classic and created a cult following around its elusive author. One morning, Dyer wakes up convinced he must mend the broken relationships in his life and summons his sons to be with him. It has been almost twenty years since an incident tore apart the family. When the sons arrive, each burdened with their own struggles, Andrew reveals something so astonishing it couldn’t possibly be true, or could it? For two decades, Andrew hasn’t written a word, or left his home. In that time, he fathered a child outside his marriage, lost his long-suffering wife, and grew estranged from his two older sons. The death of an old friend jolts him into confronting his mortality, compounded by his alcoholism. Summoning all his children for what may be the first and last time, Andrew draws Richard (Johnny Flynn) and Jamie (George MacKay) back into the family fold, their resentment still raw. Expecting a bid for forgiveness, they instead hear a revelation about their half brother Andy Jr. (Noah Jupe) that rewrites everything they thought they knew about their family. Also starring Imelda Staunton, Dominic West and Arthur Conti. The film premiered at TIFF in early September last year, and was released Stateside last week.
'RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER : RETRIBUTION' (Rated CTC) - this British gangster film franchise is Written and Directed by Julian Gilbey, Will Gilbey, Ricci Harnett, Zackary Adler, Andrew Loveday and Nick Nevern. The franchise and its first two films are based on true events featured in the autobiography of Inter City Firm hooligan turned gangster Carlton Leach before later films focus on the lives of drug dealers Pat Tate (Craig Fairbrass) and Tony Tucker (Terry Stone) who were gunned down in 1995. The first film 'Rise of the Footsoldier' in 2007 and is based on the autobiography of Leach who had risen from a football hooligan to becoming a bouncer, hired muscle and later part of the Essex firm of the 1990's and his involvement with Pat Tate and Tony Tucker. The sequel 'Rise of the Footsoldier Part II : Reign of the General' was released in 2015, with 'Rise of the Footsoldier : The Pat Tate Story' in 2017, 'Rise of the Footsoldier : Marbella' in 2019 and 'Rise of the Footsoldier Origins' in 2021 are prequels to the original and do not feature Carlton Leach, but are loosely based upon the lives of Tucker and Tate. 'Rise of the Footsoldier : Vengeance' was released in 2023. This next instalment in the franchise is Co-Written and Directed by Nick Nevern and has Pat Tate (Craig Fairbrass) travelling to Ibiza, Spain to seek revenge and track down criminals who murdered his friend. During his journey, Tate is caught in a deadly conflict involving arms traffickers, mercenaries and the CIA. The film is released in the US this week too.
'OSLO STORIES TRILOGY : DREAMS (SEX LOVE)' (Rated PG) - is a Norwegian drama film Written and Directed by Dag Johan Haugerud. In between 'Sex' (2024) and 'Love' (2024), it is the second part of a trilogy by Haugerud that deals with the complexity of human relationships, sexuality and social norms. The film follows Johanne's (Ella Overbye) infatuation with her French teacher Johanna (Selome Emnetu), which ignites tensions within her family, as her mother and grandmother confront their own unfulfilled dreams and desires. This film was released in its native Norway in October 2024, and was selected for the Main Competition at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its International Premiere in mid-February and won the Golden Bear. The film has generated positive critical reviews.
'THE PARTY'S OVER' (Rated M) - this French and Belgian Co-Produced comedy film is Co-Written and Directed by Antony Cordier whose prior feature film credits are 'Cold Showers' in 2005, 'Happy Few' in 2010, and 'Gaspard at the Wedding' in 2017. Mehdi (Sami Outalbali) had planned to spend a quiet summer in his in-laws' sumptuous home. But as soon as he arrives, a conflict breaks out between his girlfriend's family and the villa's overworked live in caretaker couple over a financial dispute. As Mehdi comes from a modest background, he thinks he can lead the negotiations between the two parties and bring everyone back to their senses. But things start to escalate completely out of control as ego, class privilege, and polished manners collapse into chaos. Also starring Laurent Lafitte, Elodie Bouchez, Ramzy Bedia, Laure Calamy and Noee Abita. The film had its World Premiere in the Directors Fortnight section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival before its general release in France in late September last year, and only now is it released here in Australia.
'YOUR LETTER' (Rated PG) - is a South Korean animated drama film Directed by Kim Yong-hwan and is based on Korean comic of the same name written and illustrated by Hyeon A. Cho. After summer vacation, Sori Lee (voiced by Lee Su-hyun) transfers to a new school and finds an anonymous letter in her desk drawer with an introduction to the school and a clue to finding the next letter. 'If you want to keep reading, find my second letter!' While following the clues in the letters and searching all over the school like on a treasure hunt, Sori keeps running into a same-aged student named Dong-soon (Kim Min-ju). Sori and Dong-soon quickly become friends as they search for the letters together. As she finds one letter after another, the special connection continues, and Sori’s curiosity grows for the mysterious sender. The film Premiered at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in late September 2024, was released in its native South Korea in October last year and only now does it get a limited release here in Australia from this week, having been released Stateside on 17th August. It has so far grossed US$1.4M.
'SENTIENT' (Rated M) - is an Australian documentary film Co-Written and Directed by Tony Jones, the Australian TV news and political journalist, radio and television presenter, and writer. The film investigates laboratory research on animals and follows Dr. Lisa Jones Engel, a primatologist turned animal welfare advocate, as it questions whether harming animals and ourselves in the name of science is justified. The film Premiered in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at this year Sundance Film Festival in January.
'MOCKBUSTER' (Rated M) - this Australian documentary film is Co-Written and Directed by Anthony Frith. Here, Australian filmmaker Anthony Frith is contracted to American mockbuster film production studio and distributor The Asylum, known for their 2013 film 'Sharknado'. He has to Direct a film called 'The Land That Time Forgot', a 'lost-world dinosaur epic' set in his hometown of Adelaide, South Australia, on a shoestring budget, and to be completed in six days. 'Mockbuster' is a behind-the-scenes documentary showing Frith's progress through the making of the film. 'Mockbuster' had its World Premiere at the 2025 Adelaide Film Festival in late October last year, as did 'The Land That Time Forgot'. The film is a 'double-feature' Directorial debut for Anthony Frith.
'TINA ARENA : UNRAVEL ME' (Rated M) - is an Australian documentary film Directed by Adrian Russell-Wills whose previous doco's are 'Boxing for Palm Island' in 2010, '88' in 2014, 'Black Divaz' in 2018 and 'Kindred' in 2023. Marking fifty years in the music industry, this film is an intimate cinematic portrait of one of Australia’s most enduring artists, tracing a career shaped by reinvention, resilience and an unmistakable voice. Tina Arena has been in the music business for fifty years, and after twenty-five albums, she’s had enough eras to make other pop stars envious. Born in suburban Melbourne to Sicilian parents, Filippina Arena became Australia’s darling in 1976, aged eight, on Channel Ten’s prime-time variety show 'Young Talent Time'. Behind Tina, the power balladeer and queer icon, this film unravels her vulnerable yet tenacious private self in candid, dryly funny conversation. Also appearing in new and archival interviews are Tina’s two sisters; her mentor Johnny Young; and collaborators and admirers including Celine Dion, Marc Anthony, Ronan Keating and Jessica Mauboy. In bringing herself undone, Tina movingly shows how music has made and mended her.
Turning the attention then back to this weeks major haul of ten new release movies coming to a big screen Odeon near you, we kick off with a post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi in which survivors of a deadly pandemic traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape to find the origin of a mysterious radio transmission. Then we turn to an erotic comedy thriller where a fresh faced unmotivated twenty-something lands an exciting job for a renowned artist, icon and provocateur where his fantasies come true as she taps him to become her sexual muse. Next up is a drama offering whereby the estranged sons of a reclusive novelist are called to meet him after he becomes convinced he is about to die. Following on we have British gangster film that is the seventh film in the series that sees our protagonist battle ruthless mercenaries throughout Ibiza as he avenges his friend's death. Up next is a Norwegian drama offering that is part of a trilogy of films in which a woman's infatuation with her French teacher ignites tensions within her family; before turning to a French comedy where a man plans to spend a peaceful summer in his in-laws' home, but upon his arrival, a conflict erupts between his fiancee's family and the villa's caretaker couple. This is followed by a South Korean animated drama film where a bullied girl transfers schools hoping for peace, but her past trauma isolates her until she discovers a series of secret letters hidden around the school. And closing out the week we have a trio of Aussie doco's - the first of which traces Lisa Jones Engel's (primatologist turned animal welfare advocate) journey questioning the justification of harming animals and humans for science. Second up we have a struggling Director who documents his journey making a 'mockbuster' in six days, descending into the chaotic world of low-budget filmmaking; and third and finally we have a cinematic portrait of Italian Australian pop icon Tina Arena, unravelling five extraordinary decades devoted to music.
Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the ten latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.
With ten new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the coming week.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
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