September 13th 2024.
The Venice Film Festival, known for its glitz and glamour, opened the autumn movie season with a dazzling display earlier this month. The Lido was flooded with Hollywood's biggest stars, including Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel Craig. Being the oldest film festival in the world, dating back to 1932, it has always exuded an old-world charm, tinged with Italian elegance. And with the usual mode of transport being a boat ride across the lagoon, it's hard not to feel like you're in a movie yourself.
The festival is renowned for setting cinematic trends and adding prestige to any film premiering there. Whether it's the star-studded red carpet or the highly coveted Golden Lion Award, it's an event that filmmakers strive to be a part of. But what is it like to attend the festival as a journalist? Well, let me tell you, I have the mosquito bites, eye bags, and an overflowing laptop bag to give you a glimpse into my first experience there.
Let's start with the logistical nightmare of getting there. As someone who had never been to Venice before, it felt like a daunting task. From getting to the airport, to finding my way to the festival on the Lido, it was a whirlwind of planning. And let's not forget, I had to do it all on a budget that wouldn't break the bank. Thankfully, I managed to snag a last-minute, one-stop flight and found a reasonably priced water bus that took me from the airport to my accommodation.
Speaking of accommodation, I was lucky enough to find a place tucked away from the crowds near the iconic St Mark's Square. With its stunning architecture, it was a sight to behold every morning. However, that's where the catch comes in - attending the Venice Film Festival doesn't really mean you get to explore Venice itself. It's more like a trip to the nearby island of Lido, where the Biennale is hosted. And with a packed schedule of screenings, press conferences, and talks, there's hardly any time to explore the city.
A typical day for me would start before 7 am, trying to beat the queue for the vaporetto (water bus) and not ending until 11 pm. Film festivals are no joke, and to make the most of it, you have to be prepared for long, tiring days. I would often find myself working for 12 to 16 hours, trying to meet embargo lifts for reviews and rushing to catch the latest news.
But amidst all the chaos, there were moments of serenity. I would make it a point to catch the early boat and take a leisurely 15-minute walk to enjoy a delicious chocolate croissant and the sweetest mandarin oranges I've ever tasted. It was my little moment of peace before the madness of the day began.
And let's not forget the glamorous side of the festival - the red carpet outfits, the beachside cocktails, and the charming cafes steeped in history. However, that's not exactly the reality for a journalist on a deadline. We often found ourselves sitting on the floor, typing away on our laptops in between screenings or frantically trying to file our stories from our phones while standing in line for press conferences.
But all the hard work and long days were worth it. After all, we got to see some amazing films, including Maria, Queer, Babygirl, and Joker: Folie à Deux. And who knows, maybe one day, I'll get to sip cocktails on the beach or enjoy an espresso at a quaint café in Venice. But for now, I'm content with my chocolate croissants and mandarin oranges.
Imagine being able to attend one of the most glamorous events in the world, the Venice Film Festival. It's a dream come true for any movie lover. I was lucky enough to experience it for the first time this year and let me tell you, it was quite an adventure.
The festival, which has been setting cinematic tastes since 1932, is known for its old-school charm and Italian elegance. And what better way to arrive at the festival than by boat, gliding across the lagoon. It's a sight to behold, especially when you see some of Hollywood's biggest stars like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig walking the red carpet.
Attending the Venice Film Festival is not just about the glitz and glamour, it's also about the prestige that comes with it. A film premiering at the festival is considered a major achievement, whether it's through the glamorous kudos or the highly coveted Golden Lion Award.
But what's it really like to attend the festival as a journalist? Well, let me tell you, it's not all red carpets and cocktails. I have the mosquito bites, eye bags and an extremely heavy laptop bag to prove it. But it was all worth it.
Let's start with the logistics. Getting to Venice was no easy feat, especially for someone like me who had never been there before. It was a series of flights, bus rides and boat trips. But thanks to some last-minute flights with Vueling and some helpful tips from the festival website, I made it to the Lido, where the festival takes place.
My hotel, located near the iconic St Mark's Square, was a hidden gem. It was the perfect location to minimize my morning commute to the Lido. And speaking of the Lido, it's not exactly what you imagine when you think of Venice. While it has its own charm, it's not quite the same as the city with its beautiful canals and historic buildings. But that's where all the action happens during the festival.
And there was plenty of action. My days were long, starting before 7am and ending around 11pm. But that's what it takes to cover a film festival. It's a race against time to attend screenings, press conferences and talks, and then write up reviews and news lines before the embargo lifts. It's hard work, but definitely worth it when you get to see films like Maria, Queer, Babygirl and Joker: Folie à Deux.
As a journalist, I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor with my laptop, trying to write something up or filing copy from my phone while standing in line. It's not exactly glamorous, but it's all part of the job. And while others may be sipping cocktails and enjoying the beautiful surroundings, I was usually rushing from one event to another, trying to meet deadlines.
But amidst all the chaos, I did have my moments of peace. Like when I made it to the Lido early enough to enjoy a delicious chocolate croissant and the sweetest mandarin oranges before the first screening of the day. It was a small moment of solitude in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.
Attending the Venice Film Festival was definitely an experience I will never forget. It may not have been as glamorous as I imagined, but it was still a thrilling and unforgettable adventure. And who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to sip cocktails on the beach with the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt. But for now, I'm more than happy to enjoy my chocolate croissants and mandarin oranges on the beautiful island of Lido.
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