Kristen Stewart’s ‘Spencer’ on Princess Diana headlines Venice Film Festival

Reuters

Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’, Pedro Almodovar’s ‘Parallel Mothers’ and Kristen Stewart’s turn as Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’ are among the titles vying for the top prize at this year’s Venice film festival, which runs September 1-11.

The world’s oldest film festival, regarded as a showcase for Oscar contenders as awards season approaches, hopes to welcome back Hollywood celebrities this year after a scaled-down 2020 edition.

Spain’s Almodovar reunites with Penelope Cruz, in ‘Parallel Mothers’, while ‘Spencer’, by Chilean director Pablo Larrain, film centres on a weekend in the early 1990s when Diana decided to separate from Prince Charles.

With contagion rates on the rise , Covid restrictions imposed last year will remain including the capacity of festival theatres which has been halved to 4,000 viewers.