Marco Muller Director of the Venice Film Festival Country: Italy

1. Marco Mueller - Director of the Venice Film Festival
2. Mueller's Approach to Programming
3. Mueller's Views on Russian Cinema
4. Russian Films at the Venice Film Festival
5. Importance of Asian Cinema
6. Hollywood's Presence

Marco Mueller - Director of the Venice Film Festival

Marco Mueller, a film enthusiast and intellectual, is the director of the Venice Film Festival, also known as the Mostra. Prior to his role at the Mostra, Mueller served as the director of the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland for many years. Fluent in several European languages, as well as Farsi and various Chinese dialects, Mueller has a deep interest in different cultures, which has greatly influenced the Venice Film Festival. Under his direction, the festival has showcased more than sixty Chinese, Japanese, and Hong Kong films, in addition to films from other countries and continents that Mueller personally sought out.

Mueller's Approach to Programming

Mueller believes in creating a program that weaves together a complex tapestry of films, combining both arthouse cinema and mainstream cinema. He aims to strike a delicate balance between artistry and commercial appeal, where arthouse films are elevated by elements of mainstream cinema. Mueller compares this process to composing a symphony, with its intricate structure and main theme that resonates throughout.

Mueller's Views on Russian Cinema

Mueller holds a great admiration for Russian cinema and considers Alexei German Jr. to be the most talented Russian filmmaker. He praises German's film "Garpastum" for its incorporation of the best achievements of Russian cinema, rooted in the history of Soviet cinema. Mueller believes that if Fyodor Bondarchuk's film "The 9th Company" had been ready in time, it would have been an interesting contrast to "Garpastum" in the competition.

Russian Films at the Venice Film Festival

Aside from "Garpastum," several other Russian films are also being showcased at the Venice Film Festival. These include Alexei Fedorchenko's "First on the Moon," Rustam Khamdamov's "Vocal Parallels," and Georgi Paradzhanov's "May Our Days Be Long." These films blur the line between art and documentary cinema, showcasing the unique and innovative approaches of Russian filmmakers.

Importance of Asian Cinema

Mueller emphasizes the significance of Asian cinema at the Venice Film Festival. He believes that Chinese cinema, in particular, represents a new cinematic powerhouse that can rival Hollywood. He sees the influence of American and European cinema in the birth of Eastern cinema, resulting in something entirely new and captivating. The festival will feature a retrospective of recently restored Chinese films, allowing cinephiles to appreciate the depth and beauty of these works.

Hollywood's Presence

Contrary to popular belief, Mueller assures that Hollywood will have a strong presence at the Venice Film Festival. Numerous Hollywood films, including nine world premieres, will be featured in the competition. Mueller's focus on Asian cinema is not exclusive, but rather a testament to the global changes in the film industry.