Monica Bellucci looked chic as she joined her partner Tim Burton and Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux for the premiere on the first day of the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday.
Tim’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens the festival on August 28 and stars Monica, 59, – his current girlfriend – and Justin and Jenna Ortega, 21.
Before the spectacular premiere, Monica, Tim and the rest of the cast were on the road.
Monica looked stunning in a navy and white polka dot dress, paired with velvet heels and dark sunglasses.
She posed with the elegant Justin, 53, and their other co-star Willem Dafoe, 69, who both wore navy suits.
Monica Bellucci looked chic as she joined her partner Tim Burton and Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux (left) on the first day of the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday ahead of the premiere (Willem Dafoe right)
Tim’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens the festival on August 28 and stars Monica, 59, – his current girlfriend – and Justin and Jenna Ortega, 21 (Tim seen with Michael Keaton)
Tim and Monica first met 16 years ago, but reportedly started dating after seeing each other at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon in October 2022.
Monica confirmed their relationship in June of the following year, when she told Elle France: ‘What I can say… I’m glad I met the man, first of all.’
‘It’s one of those encounters that you rarely have in life… I know the man, I love him, and now I’m going to meet the director, a new adventure begins.’
She added: ‘I love Tim. And I have great respect for Tim Burton.’
Winona Ryder also stars in the film as Lydia, and was spotted arriving in Venice on Tuesday.
A summary of Beetlejuice Beetle juice reads: ‘Three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy.
‘Lydia’s life, still plagued by Beetlejuice, is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife.’
Elsewhere, Isabelle Huppert shone in a stylish double denim look as she joined Patti Smith at the festival.
Before the spectacular premiere, Monica, Tim and the rest of the cast were out and about in sunny Venice
Monica blew a kiss to the crowd
Tim arrived on a water taxi
A synopsis of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reads: ‘Three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy’
The 71-year-old French actress is the jury president at the 81st festival and showed off her casual, chic style.
She paired a denim jacket with matching jeans and a white T-shirt as the festive season kicked off in Italy.
Meanwhile, 77-year-old American singer Patti wore a bright yellow shirt and jeans as she waved to some of her fans.
Before her arrival, Isabelle spoke about what she believes film festivals mean for cinema and its future, and the threats this art form is facing.
Elsewhere, Isabelle Huppert (pictured) stunned in a stylish double denim look as she joined Patti Smith at the festival
Meanwhile, American singer Patti, 77, wore a bright yellow shirt and jeans as she waved to some of her fans
“Festivals are becoming more and more important,” Huppert told The New York Times.
‘We all know that with the development of new ways of watching movies, such as streaming platforms – which certainly have their advantages – movie theaters are somewhat threatened.
So festivals are crucial ecosystems for the visibility of films and for the film industry as a whole. For me they are instrumental.’
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will open the festival on August 28.
Sigourney Weaver will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award during the festival.
Before accepting the award, Sigourney said: ‘I feel very honoured to receive the Golden Lion for my oeuvre from La Biennale di Venezia.’
“It is a privilege to receive this award, one that I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with over the years. I accept this award with pride as a tribute to everyone who helped bring these films to life.”
The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organized by La Biennale di Venezia and will take place at the Lido di Venezia from August 28 to September 7, 2024.
In addition to Sigourney and the cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a number of other A-list stars are expected to come to Venice in the coming days.
The 71-year-old French actress is the jury president at the 81st festival and showed off her casual, chic sense of style
She teamed a denim jacket with matching jeans and a white T-shirt as business got underway in Italy on Wednesday
Ahead of her arrival, Isabelle shared what she thinks film festivals mean for cinema and its future, as well as her thoughts on the threats facing the art form.
George Clooney is already in town, along with wife Amal, for the premiere of his highly anticipated new film Wolfs, the Jon Watts-directed heist thriller that reunites him with Oceans 11 co-star Brad Pitt.
Both George and Brad will be attending the September 1 screening.
Brad’s ex-wife Angelina Jolie will also be in Venice to promote the film Maria, in which she plays opera legend Maria Callas.
Sources indicate that the schedule has been adjusted so that the feuding couple, who are still embroiled in legal proceedings eight years after their split, cannot be present at the film festival at the same time.
Patti completed her look with casual jeans and topped off the look with black leather boots
Another major screening is Joker: Folie à Deux on September 4. The sequel’s premiere will welcome stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga to the red carpet in Venice.
Daniel Craig will also be at the festival to promote his film Queer, which premieres on September 3.
Venice regulars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton are in town for Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut The Room Next Door, while Nicole Kidman screens her erotic thriller Babygirl on August 30.
Pupi Avati’s The American Backyard will close the festival on September 7.