Julia Roberts “After the Hunt”
International Desk, Aug 29 (EFE).-
Julia Roberts walked the Venice Film Festival red carpet for the first time on Friday, joining director Luca Guadagnino for the premiere of their new film “After The Hunt.” The Hollywood star appeared at the Palazzo del Cinema, drawing ovations from fans gathered after the rain had cleared.
The 56-year-old actress, known worldwide for “Pretty Woman” (1990) and her Oscar-winning role in Erin Brockovich (2000), signed autographs before posing alongside co-stars Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield. Guadagnino led the ensemble cast for the traditional group photo.
“It’s an extraordinary place, one of the most inexplicable and magical that exists,” Roberts told reporters earlier at the press conference, recalling her previous filming experience in Venice with Woody Allen’s “Everyone Says I Love You” (1996).
“Coming here this morning, I thought about how lucky I am. It feels like a dream,” she added.
Although Roberts has attended Cannes and other major festivals, this marks her first appearance at the Venice Film Festival, now in its 82nd edition.
“After the Hunt” screened out of competition but drew significant attention for pairing Guadagnino with Roberts.
Fans cheered loudly when Roberts arrived, a moment amplified by her rarity on international festival carpets.
“Her presence here elevated the energy of the evening,” one festivalgoer told EFE.
Karla Sofía Gascón honored
Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón will receive the Kinéo Prize for Best International Actress on Saturday, organizers confirmed.
The award, given annually by Italy’s Kinéo Cultural Association, is presented alongside the festival to honor both Italian and international talent.
Gascón, who earned an Academy Award nomination for Emilia Péez, has faced controversy over her outspoken remarks during the film’s campaign. Still, the association praised her “impactful artistic contributions.”
Other honorees this year include Turkish actor Aras Aydın as Best International TV Actor and Monica Guerritore as Best Actress in an Italian series.
Guillermo del Toro surprises with documentary
Another highlight of the day came with the unannounced appearance of Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro at the screening of Sangre del Toro, a French documentary about his life.
Speaking after the film, Del Toro reflected on his artistic philosophy: “We live in a world with beauty and horror, where everything is black or white. This shows that imperfection is now a desirable thing to have,” he said. “We may be screwed, but we can still create art. In fact, we must be screwed.”
Directed by Yves Montmayeur, the documentary blends archival footage with interviews and scenes from films such as “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water.”
It also revisits Del Toro’s influences in Mexico, including Gothic architecture, folk traditions, and his fascination with Frankenstein.
Festival audiences responded enthusiastically, surrounding Del Toro afterward for autographs and photos. EFE
