Venice 2019 line-up includes 'Joker', 'Ad Astra', Roman Polanski's 'J'Accuse' - Screen International

The line-up of the 76th Venice Film Festival (August 28 – September 7) has been announced.

Scroll down for the full line-up

This year features some high-profile projects including Todd Phillips’ The Joker and James Gray’s Ad Astra, a lack of female directors in competition once again, and the controversial selection of Roman Polanski’s latest film.

Australian titleBabyteeth, from first time director Shannon Murphy, and Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour’s The Perfect Candidate are the two films in the 21-strong competition from female filmmakers. Last year festival chief Alberto Barbera was heavily criticised for including just one women director in competition; Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale.

An even bigger talking point this however will be the inclusion of Roman Polanski’s J’Accuse, previously titled An Officer And A Spy, based on the novel by Robert Harris and starring Louis Garrel, Jean Dujardin, Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner. Polanski’s well-documented legal problems don’t seem to stopped his films being selected for major European festivals – his previous effort Based On A True Story played out of competition in Cannes in 2017.

On the US side, as expected two high profile Netflix titles made the cut in competition; Steven Soderbergh’s Panama Papers project The Laundromat with Meryl Streep and Gary Oldman, and Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story starring Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern and Adam Driver.  They are joined by James Gray’s Fox sci-fi Ad Astra starring Brad Pitt, also hotly tipped for the festival. Warner Bros are premiering Joker (also selected for Toronto) starring Joaquin Phoenix on the Lido. The same studio debuted A Star Is Born in Venice last year, and have secured a competition berth for their DC Comics drama.

Competition

No. 7 Cherry Lane (HONG KONG)
Dir. Yonfan

The Laundromat (USA)
Dir. Steven Soderbergh

J’Accuse (FRA/ITA)
Dir. Roman Polanski

Joker (USA)
Dir. Todd Phillips

Babyteeth (AUS)
Dir. Shannon Murphy

Marriage Story (USA)
Dir. Noah Baumbach

Il Sindaco Del Rione Sanità (ITA)
Dir. Mario Martone

The Painted Bird (CZE/UKR/SLO)
Dir. Václav Marhoul

La Mafia Non È Più Quella Di Una Volta (ITA)
Dir. Franco Maresco

Martin Eden (ITA/FRA)
Dir. Pietro Marcello

Saturday Fiction (CHI)
Dir. Lou Ye

Ema (CHILE)
Dir. Pablo Larraín

Waiting For The Barbarians (ITA)
Dir. Ciro Guerra 

GloriaMundi (FRA/ITA)
Dir. Robert Guéndiguian

Ad Astra (USA)
Dir. James Gray

Guest OfHonour (CAN)
Dir.Atom Egoyan

Wasp Network (FRA/BEL)
Dir. Olivier Assayas

About Endlessness (SWE/GER/NOR)
Dir. Roy Andersson

The Perfect Candidate (SAU/GER)
Dir. Haifaa Al-Mansour

A Herdade (POR/FRA)
Dir. Tiago Guedes

The Truth (JAP/FRA) - OPENING FILM
Dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda

Out Of Competition (fiction)

The King (UK/HUN)
Dir. David Michod

Seberg (USA)
Dir. Benedict Andrews

Vivere (ITA)
Dir. Francesca Archibugi

The Burnt Orange Heresy (USA/ITA) - CLOSING FILM
Dir. Giuseppe Capotondi

Mosul (USA)
Dir. Matthew Michael Carnahan

Adults In The Room (FRA/GRE)
Dir. Costa-Gavras 

Tutto Il Mio Folle Amore (ITA)
Dir. Gabriele Salvatores

Out of Competition (non-fiction)

Il Pianeta In Mare (ITA)
Dir. Andrea Segre

Citizen K (UK/USA)
Dir. Alex Gibney

Woman (FRA)
Dir. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Anastasia Mikova

Roger Waters Us + Them (UK)
Dir. Sean Evans, Roger Waters

I Diari Di Angela - Noi Due Cineasti. Secondo Capitolo. (ITA)
Dir. Yervant Gianikian, Angela Ricci Lucchi

Citizen Rosi (ITA)
Dir. Didi Gnocchi, Carolina Rosi

The Kingmaker (USA)
Dir. Lauren Greenfield

State Funeral (NET/LIT)
Dir. Sergei Loznitsa

Collective (ROM/LUX)
Dir. Alexander Nanau

45 Seconds Of Laughter (USA)
Dir. Tim Robbins

Out of competition (special screenings)

No-One Left Behind (MEX)
Dir. Guillermo Arriaga

Zerozerozero - Episodes 1 & 2 (ITA)
Dir. Stefano Sollima

Electric Swan (FRA/GRE/ARG)
Dir. Konstantina Kotzamani

Irréversible - Inversion Intégrale (FRA)
Dir. Gaspar Noé

The New Pope - Episodes 2 & 7 (ITA/FRA/SPA)
Dir. Paolo Sorrentino

Never Just A Dream: Stanley Kubrick And Eyes Wide Shut (UK)
Dir. Matt Wells

Eyes Wide Shut (USA/UK)
Dir. Stanley Kubrick

Horizons

Zumiriki (ITA)
Dir. Oskar Alegria

Pelican Blood (GER/BUL)
Dir. Katrin Gebbe

Bik Eneich - Un Fils (TUN/FRA/LEB/QAT)
Dir. Mehdi M. Barsaoui

Blanco En Blanco (SPA/CHI/FRA/GER)
Dir. Théo Court

My Days Of Glory (FRA)
Dir. Antoine de Bary

Nevia (ITA)
Dir. Nunzia di Stefano

Moffie (SOUTH AFR)
Dir. Oliver Hermanus

Hava, Maryam, Ayesha (AFG)
Dir. Sahraa Karimi

Rialto (IRE/UK)
Dir. Peter Mackie Burns

The Criminal Man (GEO/RUS)
Dir. Dmitry Mamuliya

Revenir (FRA)
Dir. Jessica Palud

Giants Being Lonely (USA)
Dir. Grear Patterson

Verdict (PHIL)
Dir. Raymond Ribay Gutierrez

Balloon (CHINA)
Dir. Pema Tseden

Just 6.5 (IRAN)
Dir. Saeed Rouastaee

Shadow Of Water (INDIA)
Dir. Sasidharan Sanal Kumar

Sole (ITA/POL)
Dir. Carlo Sironi

Madre (SPA/FRA)
Dir. Rodrigo Sorogoyen

Atlantis (UKR)
Dir. Valentyn Vasyanovych

Sconfini (formerly Cinema in the Garden)

Unposted (Chiara Ferragni) 
Dir. Elisa Amoruso

The Scarecrows
Dir. Nouri Bouzid

The Gap
Dir. Federico Ferrone, Michele Manzolini

Domino Effect
Dir. Alessandro Rossetto

As previously announced, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s The Truthwill open the festival in competition. Giuseppe Capotondi’s The Burnt Orange Heresy starring Claes Bang and Elizabeth Debicki will close the festival on September 7. 

Director Lucrecia Martel will preside over the International Jury of the Competition this year.

The Venice Critics’ Week and Venice Days line-ups were anounced earlier this month. 

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2019-07-25 10:37:14Z
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Rapper A$AP Rocky charged with assault in Sweden - NBC News

LONDON — American rapper A$AP Rocky has been charged with assault in Sweden and will be go on trial next week, Swedish prosecutors and his lawyer said Thursday.

Rocky's lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, announced in a news conference that the trial will start on Tuesday.

The public prosecutor recommends that three days be set aside for the hearing, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a separate statement, adding that Rocky will remain in jail until the trial date.

President Donald Trump has involved himself in the case at the behest of first lady Melania Trump and rapper Kanye West and has offered to "personally vouch" for Rocky's bail.

In a response to a question about whether Rocky had heard about Trump's statements, Jovicic said his client was thankful for the support shown "by a lot of different people."

July 19, 201901:06

The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, 30, was detained on "probable grounds for serious assault" on July 3. He was in Sweden to headline Smash x Stadion, a two-day hip-hop festival in the country's capital.

"I have today commenced criminal proceedings against the three individuals suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defense and provocation,” public prosecutor Daniel Suneson Thursday.

Rocky and members of his entourage were alleged to have been involved in a brawl on June 30 in downtown Stockholm in which authorities said a person was beaten and cut with broken bottles. He has denied the assault accusation.

Jovicic has maintained that Rocky and his associates were acting in self-defense after being provoked by the other men on the street.

"They begged and pleaded to be left alone," he said.

Last week, a district court judge ruled that Rocky was a flight risk and should remain in jail while the prosecutor’s office investigated the case.

Rocky’s arrest has caused an uproar among celebrities in the U.S., with Kim Kardashian West and Justin Bieber among those calling for Sweden to free him.

Trump responded to calls to help Rocky and tweeted last week that he would call “the very talented Prime Minister of Sweden to see what we can do about helping" Rocky.

However, the next day Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven warned that Rocky would not get special treatment despite Trump’s public intervention in the case.

"I will explain that the Swedish judicial system is independent," Löfven said of a possible call with the president.

"In Sweden, everyone is equal before the law, and this includes visitors from other countries."

Saphora Smith

Saphora Smith is a London-based reporter for NBC News Digital. 

Cat Corrigan

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2019-07-25 10:08:00Z
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A$AP Rocky charged with assault after Stockholm brawl - CNN

The 30-year-old -- whose real name is Rakim Mayers -- has been in custody since July 3, following a confrontation in the Swedish capital on June 30.

The rapper's lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, has maintained he was defending himself after being assaulted and that his client is innocent.

But Swedish public prosecutor Daniel Suneson claims A$AP Rocky and two other men assaulted the victim by kicking and beating him with a whole or part of a glass bottle, according to court documents seen by CNN.

All three have been charged for their involvement in the brawl and will remain in custody until the trial.

Suneson said that he had determined the events constituted a crime "despite claims of self-defense and provocation" after reviewing video material and witness statements.

"It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party's statements have been supported by witness statements," Suneson said.

The prosecutor is relying on cell phone videos, surveillance video from the Grand Hotel and a burger restaurant, text messages from A$AP Rocky's body guard where he talks about the assault and where they say they've recorded it, texts from the assistant's phone and DNA analysis from a bottle used in the assault.

Footage posted by TMZ and others posted by A$AP Rocky of the brawl have been at the heart of the investigation.

Video clips shared on Instagram by A$AP Rocky show the rapper and his companions repeatedly ask two men to stop following them. The rapper wrote in a caption that one of the men hit a member of his security "in the face with headphones," and reasserted that he was "innocent."

But, in another video posted by TMZ, A$AP Rocky appears to grab one of the men and throw him to the ground. Another angle appeared to show the rapper and members of his entourage kicking and punching the man.

Suneson said there were two injured in the assault, but allegations of one were dropped due to insufficient evidence and the prosecution only related to one injured party.

Court documents claim that A$AP Rocky forcefully threw the victim to the ground before assaulting him.

A counter allegation was also made by the rapper's bodyguard, but that case was closed, Suneson added.

A$AP Rocky's case has drawn the attention of recording artists like Justin Bieber, as well as US President Donald Trump, who have called for his release. But authorities in Sweden have said they will not be swayed by international pressure.

"The Swedish judicial system is completely independent and does not take into consideration outside pressure from politicians or others," a spokesman for the Swedish prosecution authority told CNN on Sunday.

And, while Trump has offered to personally vouch for the 30-year-old rapper's bail, the bail system does not exist in Sweden.

As Dennis Martinsson, a legal expert in Sweden, told CNN: "If you know the Swedish legal system you know that there is no bail system."

"Actually, the Swedish constitution prevents any minister, even the Prime Minister, getting involved, or even saying something about an individual case," he added.

The President's involvement in the case came at the request of celebrities and the First Lady -- the latest incident in which star influence has swayed Trump to make certain decisions.

Trump on Friday credited Melania Trump with bringing A$AP Rocky's plight to his attention.

The President added: "Many members of the African American community have called me -- friends of mine -- and said, 'Could you help?'"

Trump also revealed on Twitter that he spoke to Kanye West about the matter. On Thursday, Kim Kardashian West thanked Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner for their efforts in trying to get A$AP Rocky released.

CNN's Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

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2019-07-25 09:13:00Z
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A$AP Rocky charged with assault after Stockholm brawl - CNN

The 30-year-old -- whose real name is Rakim Mayers -- has been in custody since July 3, following a confrontation in the Swedish capital on June 30.

The rapper's lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, has maintained he was defending himself after being assaulted and that his client is innocent.

But Swedish public prosecutor Daniel Suneson claims A$AP Rocky and two other men assaulted the victim by kicking and beating him with a whole or part of a glass bottle, according to court documents seen by CNN.

All three have been charged for their involvement in the brawl and will remain in custody until the trial.

Suneson said that he had determined the events constituted a crime "despite claims of self-defense and provocation" after reviewing video material and witness statements.

"It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party's statements have been supported by witness statements," Suneson said.

The prosecutor is relying on cell phone videos, surveillance video from the Grand Hotel and a burger restaurant, text messages from A$AP Rocky's body guard where he talks about the assault and where they say they've recorded it, texts from the assistant's phone and DNA analysis from a bottle used in the assault.

Footage posted by TMZ and others posted by A$AP Rocky of the brawl have been at the heart of the investigation.

Video clips shared on Instagram by A$AP Rocky show the rapper and his companions repeatedly ask two men to stop following them. The rapper wrote in a caption that one of the men hit a member of his security "in the face with headphones," and reasserted that he was "innocent."

But, in another video posted by TMZ, A$AP Rocky appears to grab one of the men and throw him to the ground. Another angle appeared to show the rapper and members of his entourage kicking and punching the man.

Suneson said there were two injured in the assault, but allegations of one were dropped due to insufficient evidence and the prosecution only related to one injured party.

Court documents claim that A$AP Rocky forcefully threw the victim to the ground before assaulting him.

A counter allegation was also made by the rapper's bodyguard, but that case was closed, Suneson added.

A$AP Rocky's case has drawn the attention of recording artists like Justin Bieber, as well as US President Donald Trump, who have called for his release. But authorities in Sweden have said they will not be swayed by international pressure.

"The Swedish judicial system is completely independent and does not take into consideration outside pressure from politicians or others," a spokesman for the Swedish prosecution authority told CNN on Sunday.

And, while Trump has offered to personally vouch for the 30-year-old rapper's bail, the bail system does not exist in Sweden.

As Dennis Martinsson, a legal expert in Sweden, told CNN: "If you know the Swedish legal system you know that there is no bail system."

"Actually, the Swedish constitution prevents any minister, even the Prime Minister, getting involved, or even saying something about an individual case," he added.

The President's involvement in the case came at the request of celebrities and the First Lady -- the latest incident in which star influence has swayed Trump to make certain decisions.

Trump on Friday credited Melania Trump with bringing A$AP Rocky's plight to his attention.

The President added: "Many members of the African American community have called me -- friends of mine -- and said, 'Could you help?'"

Trump also revealed on Twitter that he spoke to Kanye West about the matter. On Thursday, Kim Kardashian West thanked Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner for their efforts in trying to get A$AP Rocky released.

CNN's Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

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2019-07-25 08:27:00Z
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A$AP Rocky charged with assault after Stockholm brawl - CNN

The 30-year-old -- whose real name is Rakim Mayers -- has been in custody since July 3, following a confrontation in the Swedish capital on June 30.

The rapper's lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, has maintained he was defending himself after being assaulted and that his client is innocent.

Two other individuals have also been charged for their involvement in the brawl, Swedish public prosecutor Daniel Suneson said in a statement. All will remain in custody until the trial.

Suneson said that he had determined the events constituted a crime "despite claims of self-defense and provocation" after reviewing video material and witness statements.

"It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party's statements have been supported by witness statements," Suneson said.

Footage posted by TMZ and others posted by A$AP Rocky of the brawl have been at the heart of the investigation.

Video clips shared on Instagram by A$AP Rocky show the rapper and his companions repeatedly ask two men to stop following them. The rapper wrote in a caption that one of the men hit a member of his security "in the face with headphones," and reasserted that he was "innocent."

But, in another video posted by TMZ, A$AP Rocky appears to grab one of the men and throw him to the ground. Another angle appeared to show the rapper and members of his entourage kicking and punching the man.

Suneson said there were two injured in the assault, but allegations of one were dropped due to insufficient evidence and the prosecution only related to one injured party.

A counter allegation was also made by the rapper's bodyguard, but that case was closed, Suneson added.

A$AP Rocky's case has drawn the attention of recording artists like Justin Bieber, as well as US President Donald Trump, who have called for his release. But authorities in Sweden have said they will not be swayed by international pressure.

"The Swedish judicial system is completely independent and does not take into consideration outside pressure from politicians or others," a spokesman for the Swedish prosecution authority told CNN on Sunday.

And, while Trump has offered to personally vouch for the 30-year-old rapper's bail, the bail system does not exist in Sweden.

As Dennis Martinsson, a legal expert in Sweden, told CNN: "If you know the Swedish legal system you know that there is no bail system."

"Actually, the Swedish constitution prevents any minister, even the Prime Minister, getting involved, or even saying something about an individual case," he added.

The President's involvement in the case came at the request of celebrities and the First Lady -- the latest incident in which star influence has swayed Trump to make certain decisions.

Trump on Friday credited Melania Trump with bringing A$AP Rocky's plight to his attention.

The President added: "Many members of the African American community have called me -- friends of mine -- and said, 'Could you help?'"

Trump also revealed on Twitter that he spoke to Kanye West about the matter. On Thursday, Kim Kardashian West thanked Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner for their efforts in trying to get A$AP Rocky released.

CNN's Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

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2019-07-25 07:24:00Z
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Taylor Swift's 'The Archer' is sparking a lot of speculation - CNN

The track is called "The Archer" and it's the fifth song on her new album, "Lover."

In an Instagram Live Session before the song dropped, Swift said, "There's a lot that's covered emotionally [on this album] and I really wanted to give you track five before the album came out."

"Track 5 is kind of a tradition that really started with you guys because, I didn't realize that I was doing this, but as I was making albums, I was instinctively putting very vulnerable, personal, honest, emotional songs as track 5," she added.

So, what's it about?

Some theories being bounced around:

Maybe it's a sequel to her song, "Delicate," from her sixth album, "Reputation,' on which she sings, "Any promises now, can we, babe? But you can make me a drink Dive bar on the East Side, where you at?"

Some are saying Swift is referencing Archer, a dive bar on London's East Side.

Others say it's about her boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

She sings, "I've been the archer, I've been the prey, screaming, who could ever leave me, darling, but who could stay?"

There's also some who suggest Swift is hinting at a falling out her friend Karlie Kloss -- or others in her circle -- with this lyric: "All the king's horses, all the king's men, couldn't put me together again, 'cause all of my enemies started out friends."

Swift identifies as both "the archer" and "the prey," in the tune. She sings she's "ready for combat," compares herself to a ghost in a house on fire, and tells the song's subject to stay with her so she doesn't die alone. (There's so much to dissect.)

The song was produced by Jack Antonoff.

"The Archer" will land in spot number five when "Lover" officially hits stores on August 23.

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2019-07-24 13:07:00Z
CAIiEA-ATwZoyd77Ir06mUmEF0kqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowocv1CjCSptoCMPrTpgU

Bindi Irwin announces her surprise engagement to boyfriend of 6 years Chandler Powell - Fox News

Bindi Irwin announced her surprise engagement to Chandler Powell on social media Wednesday.

The conservationist and daughter of the late famed animal expert Steve Irwin announced the news on Twitter by posting two photos of herself with her longtime boyfriend. In one image, the couple is lovingly embracing each other. The second image shows curious fans a closer look at her shiny new engagement ring.

CROCODILE HUNTER’S DAUGHTER BINDI IRWIN DESCRIBES HEARTBREAK AFTER DAD’S PASSING: ‘IT’S LIKE LOSING A PART OF YOUR HEART’

“On my birthday I said ‘yes’ & ‘forever’ to the love of my life,” Irwin, who turned 21 on Wednesday, captioned the images. “Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you & every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure & true happiness.”

Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose & unconditional love,” she concluded.

BINDI IRWIN: MY PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD IS TO INSPIRE OTHERS

Irwin and Powell, 22, started dating in 2013 when he was in Australia for a professional wakeboarding competition, People notes. He visited the Australia Zoo, where the Irwin family lives and works. Since then, Powell has grown to share her affinity for animals. She previously told the outlet that she's thrilled to find someone who shares her late father's love of "wildlife and conservation," noting "he has this strength. Which is necessary when you're jumping on crocs."

Bindi previously relied on social media to share some loving thoughts about her dad, who was killed by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef in 2006 at age 44.

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"Together Forever," she captioned a photo of the entire Irwin family on Instagram.

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2019-07-24 13:21:36Z
CBMiU2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZveG5ld3MuY29tL2VudGVydGFpbm1lbnQvYmluZGktaXJ3aW4tZW5nYWdlZC1ib3lmcmllbmQtY2hhbmRsZXItcG93ZWxs0gEA