By Clearly people are head-over-heels for Todd Phillips’ Joker. The marketing campaign and its trailers have garnered overwhelmingly positive chatter on social media, early reviews are mostly glowing, and excitement for a fresh take on the comic book film seems to be building. And now the Italians like it too.
Taking home the Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Film Festival is the upcoming villainous origin story on everyone’s lips. Roman Polanski’s An Officer and a Spy received the second place Grand Jury Prize.
For a little context, the past five Golden Lion recipients have been Roma, The Shape of Water, The Woman Who Left, From Afar, and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence. Going back further reveals a wide range of international films, ones often relegated to art house theaters and generally smaller fanfare than that associated with Warner Bros.’ juggernaut DC adaptation.
For skeptics regarding the direction Joker is looking to take, the big win at the respected festival could be the wind that changes their course; all accounts thus far would indicate the film to be a genuine achievement.
Not long left to wait, with Joker hitting theaters October 4th, 2019.
‘Joker’ Wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, Roman Polanski Takes Runner-Up Prize [Variety]