Without Zendaya, Venice Opening Night Movie Lands Soft 90-Second Standing Ovation
variety.comVenice Film Festival. But the SAG-AFTRA strike made it impossible for the tennis drama, which MGM pushed to a 2024 release date, to come to the Lido.
So instead, Venice kicked off with World War II drama “Comandante” by young Italian auteur Edoardo De Angelis. The movie, mostly set on a submarine, landed a brief 90-second standing ovation as actor Pierfrancesco Favino — who plays naval officer Salvatore Todaro — took a bow.
Indeed, the lack of star power was strongly felt at Venice opening night. The crowds lined outside the Sala Grande Theatre was modest in size, and the biggest cheers went to Damien Chazelle, who is presiding over the Venice jury.
Jane Campion, another jury member, waded into the crowds to sign autographs and take selfies. But it was a vast difference from years past when an appearance from Lady Gaga or Timothee Chalamet would shut down any foot traffic near the theater.
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