Venice's discourse shifts towards dystopian scenarios and Gaza's ongoing crisis
The 78th Venice Film Festival, held in September 2025, showcased a diverse range of films addressing pressing political and social issues. Among the 21 films competing for the Golden Lion, several stood out for their thought-provoking narratives and timely themes.
One such film is "The Voice of Hind Rajab," directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. Based on a heart-wrenching true story, the movie tells the tale of a six-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza following Israeli tank fire that killed her family. The film uses actual recordings of Hind's call to emergency dispatchers, and received a record 23-minute standing ovation after it screened at the festival.
Kaouther Ben Hania created "The Voice of Hind Rajab" as a response to the real-life horror of the situation in Gaza, believing that as a filmmaker, she had a responsibility to address the issue. The film is considered the most urgent of the 2025 Venice Film Festival, shining a light on the psychological scars that Gaza children will bear for a lifetime.
Another notable film is "A House of Dynamite," a real-time thriller about a nuclear missile launch and the ensuing chaos in the White House. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film is a gripping portrayal of the potential consequences of nuclear war. Lanthimos stated that humanity is facing a reckoning and needs to choose the right path to avoid extinction.
In the realm of black comedy, "Bugonia," directed by Lanthimos, stands out. The film is a humorous take on a CEO kidnapped by conspiracy theorists who believe she's an alien. The film reflects on humanity's inability to stop environmental catastrophe, drawing parallels between the absurdity of alien conspiracy theories and the reality of human-induced climate change.
"No Other Choice," directed by Park Chan-wook, is a satirical thriller about a paper manufacturing plant employee driven to desperate measures due to job loss. Park spent 20 years trying to get the film made, believing the story resonates with people in modern capitalist society.
Netflix presented three competition titles at the Venice Film Festival, including "A House of Dynamite" and "Frankenstein." Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" is a new adaptation of the classic monster movie. In this version, del Toro explores the question of whether monstrousness is defined by appearance or action, and draws a parallel between Victor Frankenstein's creation and the rise of technologies like AI.
"Frankenstein" features Oscar Issac as Doctor Victor Frankenstein and Jakob Elordi as the creature, with Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz in supporting roles. The film is sure to spark conversations about the ethical implications of technological advancements and the nature of humanity itself.
The Venice Film Festival once again proved to be a platform for thought-provoking cinema, providing a space for filmmakers to address pressing issues and spark conversations about the state of the world.
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