VARIETY. The Venice Film Festival on Tuesday unveiled a rich roster of films by prominent auteurs spanning the globe, such as Mexico’s Michel Franco, France’s Nicole Garcia, Japan’s Kurosawa Kiyoshi, and from the U.S., Oscar-winning veteran Fredrick Wiseman, all set to grace the lineup of the Lido’s watershed 77th edition.

The fest is on track with plans to hold a physical event in September, the first major international fest to do so after the coronavirus crisis.

The much smaller — and way more indie — American presence this year will also include the world premiere of a buzzy new film by Brooklyn-based Mona Fastvold (“The Sleepwalker”) who will launch her second feature, “The World To Come,” a period drama with two women at its center and a starry cast comprising Katherine Waterston (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,”) Vanessa Kirby (“The Crown”) and Casey Affleck, who is also one of the pic’s main producers. 

As previously announced, Venice — which, barring complications, will be held on the Lido Sept. 2-12 — will have a somewhat reduced, but still substantial lineup.

The out-of-competition section also includes Alex Gibney’s doc “Crazy, Not Insane” that examines the psychology of murderers based on research by forensic psychiatrists, according to promotional materials.

Travel into Italy is currently allowed from within Europe, including the U.K., and some other countries such as Canada and New Zealand. Travel from the U.S. into Italy is currently allowed for work reasons that can be applied to talent coming to promote a film. Restrictions are expected to change by September, barring complications.

Barbera at a virtual press conference said that delegations from all films have been invited to the Lido and that he expected talent from a substantial number of films to make the trek. There will be a socially-distanced red carpet.

To contend with social distancing norms in its venues, the festival is setting up two outdoor arenas: one in Venice proper and another on the Lido, where a large part of the festival’s non-industry audience will be watching the films. The international press contingent present on the Lido is expected to be much smaller than usual. Online coverage of press conferences and other events will be an available option.

Read the full article here.