On Wednesday, the Venice Film Festival witnessed a captivating spectacle as “Joker: Folie a Deux” made its world premiere.
The much-anticipated sequel toTodd Phillips’s 2019 psychological thriller which redefined the superhero genre, was highlighted by Lady Gaga’s striking debut as Harley Quinn, the iconic love interest of Joaquin Phoenix known as Joker.
The Venice Film Festival, renowned for its prestigious Golden Lion award, featured “Joker: Folie a Deux” among 21 films competing for the top honor.
The sequel’s premiere was the important point of the event, drawing considerable attention due to its star-studded cast.
Lady Gaga, the film’s standout attraction, drew screams from fans, where she showed off an elaborate mask that suggested two pointy Batman ears draped with a swathe of Venetian lace, paired with a black velvet gown with a generous taffeta skirt.
Her presence bring out intense reactions from fans, marking the high expectations surrounding the film.
“The first film really deeply moved me, I loved it so much,” Gaga told a press conference, calling Phoenix’s performance one that “set the bar extremely high.”
“I think sometimes when stories are told about peopleGaga’s involvement was crucial, as both actors performed live on set to capture a raw and compelling energy.
that are maybe misunderstood by society, the director gives you a chance… to really take a hard look at that world in a deeper way,”
“I felt like when I watched the first film I got to understand something I may not have seen before, that’s why I did this movie,” said by the actress
The sequel differentiates itself from its prequel by incorporating musical elements to explore the Joker’s inner feelings. The narrative follows the Joker, awaiting trial for his violent spree, and his complex relationship with Harley Quinn, played by Gaga.
The film’s musical numbers, featuring brooding renditions of classics like “Get Happy” and “For Once in My Life” are fundamental to its storytelling, adding a new dimension to the character’s emotional landscape.
Phoenix shared to journalists how he “had this dream that I was performing as Joker doing songs and I just called Todd because I thought there might be something there.”
“Early on she was like ‘Oh, we’re going to sing live’ and I was like ‘No, we’re not. You can sing live if you like.’ And ultimately we did it and it was really the only way,” Phoenix said.
Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver, expressed a mix of excitement and apprehension about returning to Venice with the sequel.
“I think it’s a lot easier to come in to something as the insurgent as opposed to coming in as the incumbent,” he said.
“There’s a lot more expectations on a second film so there’s definitely a sense of more nervousness than I had with the first one,” he admitted.
The film aims to match the audacity of the original, ensuring it meets the high standards set by its prequel.
This year’s Venice Film Festival has been a glamorous affair, with Hollywood icons like Daniel Craig, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore gracing the red carpet. Yet, “Joker: Folie a Deux” has managed to stand out, drawing significant interest and setting the stage for a compelling cinematic experience.
As Lady Gaga prepares to release the first single from her upcoming album “LG7” in October, the buzz surrounding her role in “Joker: Folie a Deux” is sure to continue, with fans eagerly anticipating the film’s broader release.
Photo courtesy: Lady Gaga/Instagram