Syrian war documentary set as opening film; Naomi Kawase and Crystal Moselle shorts selected.

The War Show

Scroll down for line-up

Venice Film Festival’s independent strand Venice Days has unveiled the line-up for its 13th edition, which runs alongside the main festival from Aug 31-Sept 10.

There are 11 titles in competition (10 world premieres), six special event screenings and two shorts on show.

Opening the programme will be Denmark-Finland co-pro The War Show [pictured] from co-directors Andreas Dalsgaard and Obaidah Zytoon. A documentary road film chronicling the Syrian uprising and war, the film sees Zytoon sets off on a road trip around Syria, telling the Syrian story through a series of personal intimate stories.

Italian titles in the line-up include Indivisible, Edoardo de Angelis’s story of two Neapolitan Siamese twin sisters who are exploited as a novelty singing act by their father. Rome-based sales agent True Colours boarded the film earlier this year.

The shorts – dubbed the Women’s Tales project – features films from Sweet Bean (An) director Naomi Kawase (Seed) and The Wolfpack director Crystal Moselle (That One Day).

VENICE DAYS LINE-UP

Competition

  • The War Show, dirs. Andreas Dalsgaard, Obadiah Zytoon (Den-Fin) opening film

  • Heartstone, dir. Guomundur Arnar Guomundsson (Ice-Den)
  • Hounds of Love, dir. Ben Young (Aus)
  • Indivisible, dir. Edoardo De Angelis (Ita)
  • Quit Staring At My Plate, Hana Jusic (Cro-Den)
  • Pamilya Ordinaryo, dir. Eduardo Roy, Jr. (Phil)
  • Guilty Men, dir. Ivan D. Gaona (Col)
  • Polina, dirs. Valerie Muller, Angelin Preljocaj (Fra)
  • Worldly Girl, dir. Marco Danieli (Ita)
  • Sami Blood, dir. Amanda Kernell (Swe-Den-Nor)
  • The Road To Mandalay, dir. Midi Z (Mya-Tai-Chi-Fra-Ger)

Women’s Tales (shorts)

  • Seed, dir. Naomi Kawase (Ita-Jap)
  • That One Day, dir. Crystal Moselle (Ita-US)

Special Events

  • Always Shine, dir Sophia Takal (US)
  • Coffee, dir. Cristiano Bortone (Ita-Bel-Chi)
  • Il Profumo Del Tempo Delle Favole, dir. Mauro Caputo (Ita)
  • Rocco, dirs. Thierry Demaiziere, Alban Teurlai (Fra)
  • Vangelo, dir. Pippo Delbono (Ita-Bel)
  • You Never Had It – An Evening With Bukowski, dir. Matteo Borgardt (US-Mex-Ita)

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