“I remember the world premiere of A Star is Born [in 2018], when Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga were on the red carpet in the rain,” he said from his office on the Lido, the small island in the Venetian lagoon that’s been home to the festival since 1932.
“Lady Gaga refused to get into the theatre because she wanted to keep signing autographs for her fans. When she came to my office to dry and redo her makeup she was shaking. I said: ‘ But you must be used to it, you have huge concerts with thousands of people.’ And she said: ‘Yes, but this is my first time as an actress, and I feel like a debutante.’ I put my arm round her shoulders and took her into the theatre. At the end of the film she was crying.”
Another time, in 2013, Barbera had to rush to Scarlett Johansson’s aid after her new film, Under the Skin, received a surprisingly visceral response. “It was one of the worst screenings I’ve attended, it was the only time the audience booed a film,” he recalled. “Scarlett was almost in tears. I tried to say to her: ‘ Don’t worry, in time the film will be recognised.’ And that’s exactly what happened. It’s now a cult movie [and was named the best British film of the 21st century in a critics’ poll].”
That he tells these anecdotes with little reservation says much about Barbera, who has never shied of making his presence, as well as his opinions, known. Photographs of him on the red carpet have become as much a staple of Venice as the taxi boats that transport the celebrities to the theatres. But next week, the festival opens during an unprecedented period of crisis for the industry. The Hollywood strikes have meant actors are unable to promote their films and a number of major releases have been delayed. For a while, the whole line up was at risk.
Denne historien er fra August 26, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra August 26, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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