Luca Guadagnino's Bertolucci Docu-Essay is Venice Film Festival Endurance Test

Luca Guadagnino’s 426-minute docu-essay, titled ‘Joie de Vivre. Notes, Thoughts, Words, Reflections, Faces, And Visions Concerning Bernardo Bertolucci And The Cinephilia Of The 20th Century That No Longer Exists,’ premiered at the Venice Film Festival as a tribute to the late Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci (1941-2018). The film’s considerable length, nearly twice that of Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk,’ positions it as an endurance test for festival attendees. Despite its runtime, the docu-essay, when viewed in two sittings, offers a surprisingly engaging experience, according to initial reviews.

Bernardo Bertolucci, once a towering figure in Italian cinema, directed seminal films such as ‘The Conformist’ (1970), ‘Last Tango in Paris’ (1972), and ‘The Last Emperor’ (1987), which won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. His work often explored themes of power, sexuality, and political commentary, characterized by visually stunning cinematography and complex narratives. However, his critical and commercial standing has seen a decline in recent decades, making Guadagnino’s deep dive into his work and legacy particularly noteworthy.

Guadagnino, an acclaimed director himself, is known for films like ‘Call Me By Your Name’ (2017) and ‘Suspiria’ (2018). His approach in ‘Joie de Vivre’ is described as a personal reflection on Bertolucci’s cinematic contributions and the broader concept of cinephilia, particularly as it existed in the 20th century. The film delves into Bertolucci's creative process, his influences, and his impact on filmmaking, while also contemplating a perceived decline in the passionate engagement with cinema that characterized earlier eras. The docu-essay aims to capture not just the filmmaker’s life and work but also the spirit of a bygone era of film appreciation.

The Venice Film Festival, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious film festivals, provides a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work. Bertolucci himself was a significant figure at the festival throughout his career, receiving lifetime achievement awards and premiering many of his films there. Guadagnino’s selection of the festival for this extensive tribute underscores the enduring, albeit complex, relationship between Bertolucci’s legacy and the international film community. The film’s nearly seven-hour runtime challenges conventional viewing habits and invites a more immersive, albeit demanding, engagement with its subject matter.