Guadagnino's Seven-Hour Bertolucci Documentary Lands Sales Agent Ahead of Venice Premiere
Hanway Films has acquired international sales rights to Luca Guadagnino's documentary about Bernardo Bertolucci, titled 'Joie De Vivre'. The film's seven-hour director's cut will be shown in two parts at the Venice Film Festival on September 8 and 9, with Guadagnino receiving the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award before the first screening. The documentary covers Bertolucci's major works and features interviews with filmmakers, actors, and critics.
Hanway Films' acquisition positions the documentary for broad international distribution ahead of its Venice debut. The two-part screening format on consecutive evenings underscores the film's epic scope, with Guadagnino's award presentation scheduled immediately prior to the first installment. The director's cut runs seven hours, suggesting a comprehensive examination of Bertolucci's career rather than a conventional feature-length tribute.
The interview roster spans multiple generations and roles within cinema, from veteran directors like Scorsese and Cronenberg to contemporary actors such as Margot Robbie. Bertolucci's filmography covered in the documentary ranges from his 1970s provocations like *Last Tango in Paris* to later works including *The Last Emperor*, offering a chronological sweep through his artistic evolution.
This documentary may reshape public engagement with Bertolucci's legacy, particularly among younger viewers unfamiliar with his controversial yet influential body of work. The seven-hour format could position the film as a significant cultural event, potentially sparking renewed critical discussion about his artistic contributions and the ethical debates surrounding his films. For Guadagnino, the project may further cement his standing as a filmmaker deeply invested in cinematic history, possibly influencing how audiences perceive his own directorial choices.