Venice, Italy – August 28, 2025 The 82nd Venice International Film Festival kicked off with a blend of cinematic promise and red-carpet glamour on August 27, setting the stage for what promises to be a star-studded edition amid the serene backdrop of the Lido. The opening day featured the world premiere of Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia (Grace), a poignant love story starring Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti, which drew early acclaim for its introspective storytelling and visual poetry. As the festival launches a packed lineup—including high-profile entries like Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt with Julia Roberts and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein—the first day’s “report card” reflects a solid start, with strong attendance and buzz around the honorary awards. However, all eyes were inevitably drawn to the fashion, particularly Julia Roberts’ quirky arrival look that nodded playfully to her upcoming film.
Opening Film: La Grazia Earns High Marks for Emotional Depth
Sorrentino, a Venice regular and Oscar winner for The Great Beauty, opened the festival with La Grazia, a drama exploring the final days of a fictional Italian presidency through themes of love, loss, and legacy. The film, screening in the Sala Grande, received enthusiastic applause from the audience, with early reviews praising its “elegant restraint and Sorrentino’s signature blend of melancholy and beauty.” Critics from Screen Daily noted Servillo’s “masterful performance as a man grappling with personal and political turmoil,” awarding it provisional high scores for direction (A-) and screenplay (B+), though some found the pacing “deliberately slow, bordering on indulgent.” The premiere was followed by the presentation of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement to German filmmaker Werner Herzog, whose acceptance speech lauded cinema’s power to “confront the absurdities of existence,” adding an inspirational note to the evening.
The festival’s jury, presided over by American director Alexander Payne (Sideways, Nebraska), includes an international mix of filmmakers like Stéphane Brizé and actresses Fernanda Torres and Zhao Tao. Payne, in his opening press conference, emphasized a focus on “films that challenge and illuminate the human condition,” while addressing queries on global issues like the Gaza conflict with a measured response: “We’re here for cinema, but art reflects the world.” Early reactions suggest La Grazia positions the competition strongly, with 21 films vying for the top prize, including Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia starring Emma Stone.
Red Carpet Highlights: A Mix of Elegance and Edge
The opening night’s red carpet at the Palazzo del Cinema was a spectacle of arrivals by water taxi, blending classic glamour with bold statements. Heidi Klum and daughter Leni turned heads in coordinated black gowns—Klum’s featuring sheer panels and boning, while Leni opted for a drop-waisted silhouette—earning praise for their “mother-daughter synergy” from Vogue. Cate Blanchett dazzled in a custom plunging gown with stone appliqués, a rewear from the 2022 SAG Awards that highlighted sustainability in fashion. Other standouts included Fernanda Torres in a semi-sheer pink co-ord suit and Claire Holt in a burgundy lace dress, contributing to a “diverse and daring” array of looks.
The evening also saw a brief protest on the red carpet with banners reading “Free Palestine. Stop the Genocide,” underscoring the festival’s intersection with global politics. A pro-Palestinian march is planned for August 30, adding layers to the event’s cultural discourse.
But What Did Julia Roberts Wear? A Playful Nod to Method Dressing
While Roberts’ film After the Hunt—a #MeToo-themed thriller co-starring Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri—premieres out of competition on August 29, the actress made waves upon her arrival in Venice on August 27 with an unconventional airport ensemble that twisted the method dressing trend in a whimsical direction. Touching down at Marco Polo Airport, Roberts sported a casual black T-shirt and miniskirt paired with canvas sneakers and a Celine Medium New Luggage Smile bag. The standout piece? A quirky cream cardigan emblazoned with stenciled faces of her director, Luca Guadagnino, turning heads and sparking social media buzz for its “surreal, film-inspired eccentricity.”
Styled simply with dark sunglasses from Lapima, the look was a far cry from traditional red-carpet opulence but aligned with Roberts’ history of boundary-pushing style—recall her barefoot Cannes appearance or menswear-inspired tails. Fashion outlets like InStyle and CinemaBlend hailed it as “a weird twist on method dressing,” tying the Guadagnino motifs to the film’s themes of accusation and hidden secrets. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted with delight, one posting: “Julia Roberts arriving at Venice with Guadagnino’s face on her sweater? Iconic and unhinged—love it!” As Roberts makes her Venice debut, anticipation builds for her premiere gown, with speculation it might lean more experimental given the festival’s relaxed dress code.
Overall, Day 1 earns a B+ for its cinematic kickoff and fashion flair, tempered slightly by political undercurrents. With stars like George Clooney, Emma Stone, and Dwayne Johnson arriving for subsequent premieres, the festival is poised for an unforgettable run through September 6. For tickets and full schedules, visit the official Biennale website.