Monica Bellucci looked chic as she joined her partner Tim Burton and Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux on day one of Venice Film Festival on Wednesday ahead of premiere.
Tim’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will open the festival on August 28 and stars Monica, 59, – his now girlfriend – as well as Justin and Jenna Ortega, 21.
Ahead of the glitzy premiere Monica, Tim and the rest of the cast were out and about.
Monica looked stunning in a navy and white polka dot dress which she wore with velvet heels and dark shades.
She posed with suave Justin, 53, and their other co-star Willem Dafoe, 69, who both wore dark blue suits.
Monica Bellucci looked chic as she joined her partner Tim Burton and Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux (left) on day one of Venice Film Festival on Wednesday ahead of premiere (Willem Dafoe right)
Tim’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will open the festival on August 28 and stars Monica, 59, – his now girlfriend – as well as Justin and Jenna Ortega, 21 (Tim seen with Michael Keaton)
Tim and Monica have been to first met 16 years ago but are said to have started dating after seeing one another at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon in October 2022.
Monica confirmed their relationship in June of the following year as 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 rarely happens in life… I know the man, I love him, and now I’m going to meet the director, another adventure begins.’
She added: ‘I love Tim. And I have great respect for Tim Burton.’
Winona Ryder also stars in the film as main lead Lydia and she was seen arriving in Venice on Tuesday.
A synopsis of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reads: ‘Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy.
‘Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife.’
Elsewhere Isabelle Huppert rocked a stylish double denim look as she joined Patti Smith arriving for the festival.
Ahead of the glitzy premiere Monica, Tim and the rest of the cast were out and about in sunny Venice
Monica blew a kiss to the crowds
Tim arrived on a water taxi
A synopsis of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reads: ‘Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy’
The French actress, 71, is serving as Jury President at the 81st festival and showed off her casually chic sense of style.
She teamed a denim jacket with matching jeans and a white T-shirt as things kicked off in Italy.
Meanwhile American singer Patti, 77, wore a bright yellow shirt and jeans as she waved to some of her fans.
Prior to her arrival Isabelle shared what she thinks film festivals represent for cinema and its future, as well as her thoughts on the threats the art form faces.
Elsewhere Isabelle Huppert (seen) rocked a stylish double denim look as she joined Patti Smith arriving for the festival
Meanwhile American singer Patti, 77, wore a bright yellow shirt and jeans as she waved to some of her fans
‘Festivals are more and more important,’ Huppert said to The New York Times.
‘We all know that with the development of new ways of watching movies such as streaming platforms — which do have their virtues — movie theatres are somewhat threatened.
So festivals are crucial ecosystems for the visibility of movies and for the film industry as a whole. To me, they’re instrumental.’
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will open the festival on August 28.
Sigourney Weaver meanwhile will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the festival.
Sigourney said ahead of receiving the prize: ‘I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia.’
‘To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years. I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.’
The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and will be held on the Lido di Venezia from 28 August to 7 September 2024.
As well as Sigourney and the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice cast there is an array of A-listers expected to descend in Venice over the coming days.
The French actress, 71, is serving as Jury President at the 81st festival and showed off her casually chic sense of style
She teamed a denim jacket with matching jeans and a white T-shirt as things kicked off in Italy on Wednesday
Prior to her arrival Isabelle shared what she thinks film festivals represent for cinema and its future, as well as her thoughts on the threats the art form faces
George Clooney is already in town, alongside his wife Amal, for the debut of his anticipated new movie Wolfs – the Jon Watts-directed heist thriller that reunites him with Oceans 11 co-star Brad Pitt.
Both George and Brad will be attendance at the September 1 screening.
Brad’s ex wife Angelina Jolie is also due in Venice to promote the film Maria, in which she plays opera legend Maria Callas.
Sources indicate that the schedules have been arranged so that the warring couple – who continue to be embroiled in legal action eight years after they split – will not be at the film festival at the same time.
Patti completed her look with a pair of casual jeans and completed the look with some black leather boots
Another major screening is Joker: Folie à Deux on September 4. The premiere of the sequel will welcome stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga to the Venice red carpet.
Daniel Craig will also be at the festival to promote his movie Queer, which screens 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 is screening her erotic thriller Babygirl on August 30.
Pupi Avati’s The American Backyard will close the festival on September 7.