Standing Ovations at Venice Film Festival: A Predictor of Oscar Success?

As a seasoned journalist with a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, I’m Zoe Bennett, and I’m here to provide you with a well-researched, analytical take on the latest developments in the world of entertainment. With a focus on key insights and data, I’ll be breaking down the significance of standing ovations at the Venice Film Festival and what they might mean for the Oscars.

The Venice Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, has once again lived up to its reputation for delivering memorable moments. This year, three movies have received standing ovations that lasted 15 minutes or more, leaving many to wonder if the applause has gotten out of hand. The films in question are “The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr; “The Testament of Ann Lee,” a historical musical with Amanda Seyfried; and Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” featuring rising star Jacob Elordi.

Since 2014, the Venice Film Festival has had an impressive track record of predicting Best Picture Oscar winners, with four films going on to take home the top prize. However, it’s worth noting that none of these films – “Birdman,” “Spotlight,” “The Shape of Water,” and “Nomadland” – received record-breaking standing ovations. In fact, the trend of lengthy standing ovations is a relatively new phenomenon at Venice, and it’s unclear whether they truly indicate a film’s chances of success at the Oscars.

One thing is certain, however: a standing ovation at Venice can be a powerful marketing tool. Take, for example, Pedro Almodóvar’s “Room,” which received an 18-minute standing ovation in 2015. Despite the enthusiastic response, the film went on to receive zero Oscar nominations. The subject matter, which dealt with euthanasia, may have been too sensitive for some voters, and critics didn’t consider it one of Almodóvar’s best works.

Another film that received a lengthy standing ovation was “Blonde,” a biopic about Marilyn Monroe starring Ana de Armas. Despite its lukewarm reception at the Oscars – it received just one nomination for Best Actress – the film’s world premiere crowd roared with applause, with some estimates suggesting the ovation lasted up to 20 minutes. However, the film’s critical reception was largely negative, with a dismal 43% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and 36% from audiences.

On the other hand, Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” is a prime example of a film that benefited from a standing ovation at Venice. The pitch-black comedy, which tells the story of two Irishmen who suddenly stop being friends, received a lengthy ovation, with some reports suggesting it lasted up to 20 minutes. The film went on to take home several awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes and nine Oscar nominations. Although it didn’t take home any Oscars, the film’s success at the Golden Globes and its numerous nominations demonstrate the impact of a strong festival performance.

In contrast, “The Favourite” and “Joker” are examples of films that received lengthy standing ovations but ultimately had mixed success at the Oscars. “The Favourite” won three Oscars, including Best Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor for Adrien Brody, while “Joker” was widely panned, earning just $207 million globally.

As the Venice Film Festival continues to be a major player in the awards season, it’s clear that standing ovations can be a double-edged sword. While they can generate buzz and excitement for a film, they don’t necessarily guarantee success at the Oscars. As the industry waits with bated breath for the next big announcement, one thing is certain: the Venice Film Festival has once again proven itself to be a platform for launching films and careers, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the Oscars to see which films ultimately take home the top prizes.

That wraps up today’s analysis. Stay informed, stay critical, and follow the facts.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed