Venice Predictions —Part 2: Fincher? Miyazaki?

The 80th Venice Film Festival is set to begin during the last week of August. The lineup is being announced on July 25th and things are definitely heating up.

It looks as though Studio Ghibli might finally bring Hayao Miyazaki’s “How Do You Live” on the Lido, although nothing has been confirmed as of now. The film needs some kind of promotion, right? Miyazaki has premiered his last few films there.

Less likely, but not entirely out of the realm of possibilities, is David Fincher’s “The Killer” whose Festival launch is still being planned out by Netflix. The smart bet for a premiere would be the New York Film Festival where Fincher’s “The Social Network” and “Gone Girl” both world premiered.

Cineuropa’s fest predictions mention what I previously wrote about last week, that Luc Besson’s “Dogman” might be bumped into competition. It’s currently out of comp, but that might very likely change.

I’m not entirely sure what other French films might show up, there’s a very good chance that Bertrand Bonello’s “The Beast,” which is definitely going to TIFF, shows up in Venice competition. Xavier LeGrand’s “Le Successeur” is being hinted at as well.

Playing out of competition will be Woody Allen’s “Coup de Chance,” Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” Kenneth Branagh’s “Murder in Venice” and, maybe, even, Ellen Kuras’ “Lee.”

As of right now, 07.07.23, these filmmakers are the best competition bets for the 80th Venice Film Festival — I’ve added Miyazaki and Fincher just to stir things up a little:

Luc Besson, Bertrand Bonello, Stéphane Brizé, Roman Polanski, David Fincher, Michael Mann, Sofia Coppola, Bradley Cooper, Yorgos Lanthimos, Michel Franco, Pablo Larraín, Emerald Fennell, Hayao Miyazaki, Andrew Haigh, Kiril Serebrenikkov, Dorota Kobiela, Christos Nikou, Tim Kroger, Matteo Garrone, Saverio Costanzo, Giorgio Diritti, Pietro Castellitto, Xavier LeGrand.