Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer photos
The Venice Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s latest photography Challengers.
The film will be shown out of competition on Wednesday August 30 at the Sala Grande in the Palazzo del Cinema (Lido di Venezia), on the opening night of the 80th Venice Film Festival.
The pic stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and force of nature, who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a losing streak champ, Mike Faist. West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy to redeem her husband takes a surprising turn when he has to face washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor) – his ex-best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend. As their pasts and gifts collide, and tensions rise, Tashi must ask herself, What does it cost to win?
“I am very pleased for the audience to experience my new film Challengers at the Venice Film Festival. It is a modern and gritty story about youthful energy, love and strength. Zendaya, Josh, and Mike are completely original and fresh, bringing a new energy you’ve never seen before,” said Guadagnino. “I can’t wait for the Lido crowd to dance to the tunes of the Trent and Atticus soundtrack on opening night of the 80th edition of Mostra. As a filmmaker, it is a dream come true and I am grateful to Alberto and the entire Venetian family for such a wonderful appreciation of the film.”
Guadagnino was at the Lido last year, where he made his debut Bones and everythingStarring Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Russell. Pick the best director of the festival for his work on the pic. Director, best known for his 2017 creation Call me by your nameHe often came back to Lido, including his debut pics The supporters (1999), Io Sono L’Amour (2009), Bertolucci on Bertolucci (2013), bigger splash (2015), suspense (2018), And Salvatore: The Shoemaker of Dreams (2020).
Challengers Written by Justin Koritzkes and Produced by Amy Pascal, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya and Rachel O’Connor. The executive producers are Bernard Bello, Lorenzo Meili, and Kevin Ulrich. Music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The film will be distributed in the United States by MGM, and internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures.
As previously announced, Damien Chazelle will be the President of the International Jury for the main competition. The festival runs from August 30 to September 9.
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