Lady Gaga is expected to appear at the Venice Film Festival for her film 'Joker: Folie à deux', which could overshadow previous red carpet events.
Lady Gaga is a hotly anticipated star on the glittering Lido island on Wednesday, as her new film, the dark and subversive “Joker: Folie à Deux,” premieres at the Venice Film Festival.
The pop sensation's Venice appearance may even eclipse that of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, who wowed fans on the red carpet on Sunday ahead of the premiere of “Wolves,” a highlight of the prestigious film festival.
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Subverting the conventions of superhero movies, the 2019 American film “Joker,” directed by Todd Phillips, stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a struggling stand-up comedian whose mental health deteriorates.
The film, loosely based on the DC Comics characters and set in a bleak Gotham City, was a huge success, grossing over $1 billion at the box office, but also drew criticism for its nihilistic violence.
After winning the Golden Lion at Venice, “Phoenix” also won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
But Lady Gaga will join Phillips' sequel as the new star, marking the American singer's return to the big screen for the first time since 2021's House of Gucci.
She plays Harley Quinn, the Joker's partner in crime and lover, whom Fleck meets while awaiting trial for his past crimes.
“He's not sick. He's perfect,” her character can be heard saying in a voice-over in the film's short trailer, released this week.
See also: Best beauty looks from the 2018 Venice Film Festival
Phillips has said that he wanted the sequel to explore the idea of identity, asking the question: “Where does Fleck's music come from?”
“I knew if I was going to do it, I had to take a leap of faith. I wanted to create something as crazy and fearless as the Joker himself,” Phillips said.
On Wednesday, the “Bad Romance” singer will make a red carpet appearance and take part in a press conference with Phoenix and other cast members ahead of the film's world premiere in the evening.
“Joker: Folie à deux” is one of 21 films competing for the Golden Lion, the top prize at the world's oldest film festival known as “La Mostra.”
This year's event was full of Hollywood glamour, with A-listers including Daniel Craig, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Michael Keaton gracing the red carpet.
The festival ends on Saturday.
Author: Agence France-Presse
