Another family drama: the New Zealand director Jane Campion, who was the first woman to be awarded the Palme d’Or in Cannes for “The Piano” in 1993, presented “The Power of the Dog” at the Venice Film Festival (based on the novel: Thomas Savage) – top-class cast with Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons.
Campion is firmly established in the international festival circuit and was last nominated for the main prize in 1999 for “Holy Smoke” in Venice.
Jane Campion, director – on women in film:
“One woman just won an Oscar and last year in Venice, Chloe Zhao, and then another this year in Cannes (Julia Ducournau). I say that gallantly, but I know the statistics are still not in favor of women . They are still in the minority and I think the big loss for everyone is that there just aren’t enough female voices in the narrative that describes our world and who we are. Women think differently and that’s so beautiful. “
After 12 years away from the big screen, her long-awaited return is a western thriller about a cowboy played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The production was a massive undertaking that took Campion and cast all the way to New Zealand in search of desolation and beauty.
Cumberbatch plays a brilliant and cruel rancher and Dunst a confident mother who loves Phil’s brother George (Jesse Plemons).
Benedict Cumberbatch, actor – on his role:
“The man is toxic – a product of his upbringing, his nursery, his living conditions. That is not fully formed, it arises from a moment and again a moment and another moment. So, I can understand him. I can look at that and Acknowledge it. Don’t approve, but understand. So, I don’t mean that’s done with, it’s part of his being. It’s part of his defect, part of his personal tragedy. “
The 78th Venice International Film Festival runs until September 11th.
su mit dpa, AP
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