Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix Ignite Venice with ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
The Venice Film Festival has been electrified with the arrival of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix for the world premiere of “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Five years after the original “Joker” made waves and took home top honors at Venice, the sequel is making its grand debut, and the anticipation couldn’t be higher.
Director Todd Phillips, who led the first film to both critical and commercial acclaim, returns with “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Reflecting on the sequel, Phillips admits to a mix of excitement and nerves. "It feels right, it feels correct to be back in Venice. It felt like the logical launching off point for us," he said. Despite this, he acknowledges the challenge of following up such a groundbreaking film. “It’s a lot easier to come into something as the insurgent rather than the incumbent,” Phillips noted.
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For Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his role as Arthur Fleck, the sequel offered a chance to delve deeper into his character’s psyche. He’s not alone in this exploration; Lady Gaga joins the cast as Harley Quinn, a role she prepared for by retraining her singing voice and learning various dance routines. Gaga, who was profoundly moved by the first film, described her preparation process as a journey of "unlearning technique" to better embody her character’s emotional depth. Both she and Phoenix performed their musical numbers live, adding an authentic layer to their performances. Gaga emphasized, “It gives the characters a way to express what they need to say.”
The film picks up with Arthur Fleck now institutionalized, awaiting trial for his crimes, and meeting Harley Quinn in the asylum. The two characters’ immediate connection is expressed through song, with Gaga’s Quinn performing Judy Garland’s “Get Happy” to Joker, capturing the film’s unique blend of musical and psychological drama.
As the film makes its way through the festival circuit, it faces stiff competition from other notable entries, such as Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” and Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer.” The outcome of the Venice Film Festival could set the tone for the film's future, potentially shaping its Oscar prospects or marking another box office success.
Lady Gaga’s arrival at the festival was nothing short of spectacular, reminiscent of her iconic moments from previous years. Dressed elegantly, she captivated fans and photographers alike, making her mark on the red carpet with her signature flair.
With reviews for “Joker: Folie à Deux” imminent, all eyes are on Venice to see if this sequel can capture the same magic as its predecessor and perhaps even exceed expectations. The film’s reception at the festival could very well dictate its trajectory for months to come.
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