The cast of "Women Without Men," arrive at a Venice Film Festival screening. The film was one of an unusual number from first-time directors. (Photo by Tony Gentile / Reuters)

Creative destruction in Venice

This year's Venice Film Festival demonstrates one upside of recessions: they pose opportunities for feisty newcomers.

By Eric J. Lyman — Special to GlobalPost
Published: September 10, 2009 16:17 ET
Updated: September 11, 2009 07:23 ET

VENICE, Italy -- The world’s oldest film festival is usually not a place for new talent.

Now in its 66th edition, landing a slot at the storied Venice festival is one way a film director knew he or she had arrived. The famous red carpet, the history, the atmosphere, the paparazzi — they have long been alluring, but inaccessible, to young directors.

That changed this year. A surprising 19 films from first- and second-time directors were included in the festival’s official selection. Five directorial first efforts were among the 24 films selected to compete for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion, to be decided on September 12. In the previous five years combined, there had been just two.

Even though there are more unfamiliar faces around than in previous years, Venice still has plenty of glitz and glamour. Marco Mueller, the festival’s artistic director, says he did not intentionally seek out projects from relatively untested directors for this year’s event, and he defends their selection by saying they were among the best films available. The reasons for the new faces, Mueller says, are mostly economic.

“It’s no surprise that these days studios don’t have the money to spend that they used to have,” Mueller says. “And new talent is cheaper than experienced talent.”

In many ways, top-rung festivals like Venice are barometers for an industry that is itself a barometer for the cultures it reflects. Seasons that see the rise of a specific genre, the emergence of a film that dominates the Oscars, or the revival of a faded career are usually hinted to first at the festivals, where new projects are premiered and industry players network…

Editor's note: The remainder of this article is restricted to members of GlobalPost Passport. Click to continue reading if you are a Passport member.

Passport helps GlobalPost support its worldwide news operation. By joining, you'll get exclusive in-depth reporting, direct access to our foreign correspondents, and a voice in the topics Passport covers. Support GlobalPost by becoming a member of out inner circle. Learn more about Passport's innovative community.

Comments:

No Comments.

Login or Register to post comments

Recent on Italy:

How can 39 million buffalo be wrong?

Jason Overdorf - India - November 19, 2009 06:30 ET

Indian farmers discover the beauty of mozzarella.

What feta and reindeer meat have in common

Paul Ames - European Union - November 13, 2009 08:53 ET

Serbs become the latest to worry that their ethnic cuisine will be registered by an EU country.

Italy, the CIA and rendition

Michael Moran - Diplomacy - November 4, 2009 15:56 ET

Analysis: What Wednesday's stunning verdict in Rome means for the "War on Terror".

Italian food: now mafia free!

Irene Peroni - Italy - October 29, 2009 06:09 ET

The Libera Terra label guarantees that wine, olive oil and pasta are free of mob connections.

The Moroccans of San Nicola Varco

Fulvio Paolocci - Italy - October 19, 2009 08:02 ET

Italian immigration law has left the future unclear for hundreds of Moroccans living in a squalid shantytown.

Musings of a homesick baseball fan

Eric J. Lyman - Italy - September 30, 2009 13:02 ET

At the US-Cuba match in Italy, fans munch on ... bruschetta?

Doing business in Slovenia (not Slovakia)

Barbara E. Martinez - European Union - September 22, 2009 06:20 ET

Small country, great expectations

G20 Pittsburgh: They meet again

Michael Goldfarb - Worldview - September 22, 2009 06:13 ET

Opinion: The world does not hold its breath.

Creative destruction in Venice

Eric J. Lyman - Italy - September 11, 2009 07:23 ET

This year's Venice Film Festival demonstrates one upside of recessions: they pose opportunities for feisty newcomers.

Need a haircut? Sorry, everyone is 'en vacances'

Teri Schultz - European Union - August 28, 2009 07:21 ET

All employees in the EU get at least 20 vacation days. Why don't Americans get the same?

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

Sandro Contenta - Italy - August 23, 2009 11:04 ET

Essay: Weary Italians aren't in the mood to laugh anymore at Berlusconi's latest transgressions.

Lottery mania in Italy

Eric J. Lyman - Italy - August 20, 2009 15:58 ET

What would you do to win a $200 million jackpot: fly from Germany? pick a number based on dreams about dead people?

Invitation: all about Italian food!

David Case - Italy - August 19, 2009 18:34 ET

Passport hosts a conference call with our Rome food and wine expert. Open to the public.

Bringing opera to the masses

Fulvio Paolocci and Angelica Marin - Italy - August 14, 2009 10:12 ET

Italy fights bad press

Eric J. Lyman - Italy - August 13, 2009 21:17 ET

Government launches programs to convince tourists they aren't being ripped off.

New questions about Legionaries of Christ

Jason Berry - Italy - August 13, 2009 19:50 ET

A woman claiming to be the mother of Fr. Maciel's daughter speaks.

Vatican investigates Legionaries of Christ

Jason Berry - Italy - August 13, 2009 17:48 ET

The Catholic Church looks into cult allegations — and $1,000 hams.

Bringing opera to the masses

Fulvio Paolocci and Angelica Marin - Italy - August 12, 2009 09:03 ET

Locals and visitors can catch "Carmen" at the Spanish Steps.

Where the buffalo moan (with pleasure)

Angelica Marin - Italy - August 9, 2009 13:15 ET

At Vannulo Farm in Campania, they believe happier buffalos make better mozzarella.