In a poignant moment at the 2018 Bafta Awards, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro paid tribute to the legendary author Mary Shelley, referring to her as “the most important figure from English legacy.” During his acceptance speech for Best Director, del Toro expressed admiration for Shelley’s ability to “give voice to the voiceless and presence to the invisible.” He emphasized that to discuss monsters, one must sometimes create them, a theme that resonates deeply in his long-awaited adaptation of Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Nearly two decades after first announcing his intention to bring Frankenstein to the silver screen, del Toro is finally set to unveil his vision at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. This highly anticipated film stars Oscar Isaac as the obsessive scientist and Jacob Elordi as the creature, rekindling Shelley’s exploration of the delicate line between humanity and monstrosity.
This year's Venice Film Festival appears particularly engrossed in the theme of monsters, as highlighted by artistic director Alberto Barbera. He noted that the “fil rouge” of this year's event revolves around monsters in various forms, from del Toro’s fantastical creations to the “real monsters” depicted in films about historical dictators. Barbera stated, “We have films about dictators of the past and present, from Mussolini and Ceaușescu to Gaddafi and Putin,” showcasing the festival's commitment to addressing profound societal issues.
The festival’s lineup includes a range of compelling narratives that tackle the monstrosity of war and authoritarianism. For instance, Olivier Assayas’s political thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin explores Vladimir Putin's rise to power, featuring Jude Law and Paul Dano. Similarly, Jihan K’s documentary, My Father and Qaddafi, investigates the 1993 disappearance of her father, a peaceful opposition leader in Libya.
In Mihai Mincan’s Milk Teeth, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s dictatorship, following a young girl who becomes the last witness to her sister's mysterious disappearance. In contrast, Pietro Marcello's Duse presents a portrait of the artist Eleonora Duse amid the rising fascism of Mussolini's Italy.
The enduring fascination with monsters is not merely coincidental. Natalie Lawrence, author of Enchanted Creatures: Our Monsters and Their Meanings, explains that monsters often embody societal anxieties. “Terrible humans become the monsters of historical events, while fictional beasts are born from mythic fears,” she notes. This spectrum ranges from real-life dictators to mythical creations, highlighting the complex relationship society holds with its fears and challenges.
In light of ongoing global conflicts, filmmakers are responding with a resurgence of a cinema that reflects harsh realities. Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, featuring Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson, delves into the psychological landscape of White House officials facing a missile threat. Bigelow emphasizes the normalization of the unthinkable amidst the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Additionally, Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab recounts the tragic story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed during an Israeli shelling, incorporating harrowing recordings of her final moments. The festival also features a documentary by Ukrainian producer Alexander Rodnyansky, who reflects on Ukraine’s tumultuous history through his work, Notes of a True Criminal.
As the festival approaches, Barbera anticipates political demonstrations, including a pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for August 30. The group Venice4Palestine has called for the Biennale to revoke invitations to actors who have previously supported Israel, underscoring the festival's engagement with contemporary issues.
This year, 21 films will compete for the coveted Golden Lion, with a jury led by director Alexander Payne. Among the highly anticipated entries are Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia starring Emma Stone, and Noah Baumbach’s ensemble comedy Jay Kelly, featuring a stellar cast including George Clooney and Adam Sandler.
Other notable films in competition include Jim Jarmusch’s anthology Father Mother Sister Brother and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice. The festival will also showcase Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, alongside Werner Herzog’s new documentary Ghost Elephants. Herzog will be honored with a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, alongside Hollywood star Kim Novak.
