Julia Roberts got emotional as her new film, “After the Hunt,” a drama about Luca Guadagnino, in which she plays the troubled professor, surprised Venice on Friday night.
The Amazon MGM Studios release premiered in a six-minute standing ovation on Lido. As applause continued, Roberts wiped out tears, blew kisses into the crowd, embracing director and co-stars Ayo Edebili (with tears) and Andrew Garfield.
Guadagnino and Roberts paused to sign the red carpet before entering Sara Grande, which was packed with cheers of “Julia!” And “Luca!” Garfield was also a fan favorite, taking selfies with the audience wearing a sharp blue suit and a fresh look.
In “After the Hunt,” Roberts plays Alma Olson, a respected Ivy League professor who is forced to tackle her own secret past after one of her colleagues is accused of crossing the line with a student. Garfield plays Henrik “Hank” Gibson, a colleague of Roberts’ character, and “Bear” Breakout Edebili is Maggie Price, Alma’s protégé moving forward with the allegations.
The R-Rated film has already sparked controversy for Lido, and on Friday we evaluated levelling questions early on about the film’s message about the #MeToo movement and cancellation culture. Roberts defends her latest work, denying that “after the hunt” is about to blow up the controversy, lamenting that society “now has lost the art of human conversation.”
“We haven’t made a statement. We’re portraying these people at this moment,” she said. “In itself, we don’t know about the controversy, but we are challenging people to have a conversation. It’s up to you to get excited or furious about it. If you’re making this film, it’s the most exciting thing we think we can achieve.”
“After the Hunt” also stars Guadagnino regulars Michael Stullberg and Chloe Sevigny in supporting the role. The script was written by Nora Garrett in his script debut. It was produced by Guadagnino, Brian Glazer, Jeb Brody and Alan Mandelbaum. Executive producers include Garrett, Karen Lander, Justin Wilkes and Alice Dawson.
Guadanino premiered in the competition last year in “Queer” at the Venice Film Festival, in William S. Burrows adaptation starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey. The romantic drama of the era won a nine-minute standing ovation. Italian Auter Guadagnino has a long history at festivals and premiered many films over the years, including his directorial debut, “The Protagonist.” The 2004 documentary, “Cuoco Contandino.” Desire Trilogy installments for “I Am Love” (2009) and “A Bigger Splash” (2015) (2009), starring Tilda Swinton. “Sussier” with Dakota Johnson in 2018. His 2020 Ferragamo documentary, “The Shoemaker of Dreams.” The romantic horror “Bones and All” (2022) starred Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell, winning Silver Lion in the best direction.
“After the Hunt” premiered at New York and LA theaters on October 10th, and will expand widely on October 17th.
