La Biennale di Venezia 80th Venice International Film Festival

©Venice International Film Festival

La Biennale di Venezia and Cartier have jointly announced that acclaimed American director, writer, and producer Wes Anderson is the recipient of the prestigious Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the 80th Venice International Film Festival (August 30th – September 9th, 2023). This esteemed award recognizes individuals who have made a unique and original contribution to the contemporary film industry.

The award ceremony for Wes Anderson will take place on September 1st, 2023, at 2:30 pm in the Sala Grande (Palazzo del Cinema). Following the ceremony, Anderson's latest creation, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," a 40-minute film, will be screened out of competition. The film features an ensemble cast including Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade.

©Venice International Film Festival

Alberto Barbera, Director of the Venice Film Festival, hailed Wes Anderson's unmistakable style, describing it as childlike and visionary, marked by pastel colors, symmetrical sequences, and a penchant for quirky dreamers. Barbera praised Anderson's meticulous attention to detail, from soundtracks to costumes, in crafting imaginative yet relatable worlds that explore themes of family dynamics with surreal humor.

Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, highlighted Anderson's ability to transport audiences into his poetic and humanistic universe, where even in the face of uncertainty, his films provide a sense of comfort and anticipation. Vigneron commended Anderson's films as formal art pieces that reflect his continuous creativity and humanistic worldview.

"The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," directed by Wes Anderson, is a faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl's long short story. The film follows a wealthy man's quest to master a guru's skill of seeing without using his eyes, with the intention of using it to cheat at gambling. The film is produced by Indian Paintbrush Productions and American Empirical Pictures, with international distribution via Netflix.

Wes Anderson's illustrious career spans films like "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and "Moonrise Kingdom." His distinctive style has garnered acclaim, with his latest projects including the recently released "Asteroid City" and the upcoming "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar."

Since 2021, Cartier has been a main sponsor of the Venice International Film Festival, aligning with its commitment to supporting contemporary film creation and cultural heritage preservation. The collaboration between Cartier and the festival has led to the creation of the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award, celebrating outstanding filmmakers who have left an indelible mark on the film industry. The 80th Venice International Film Festival will be held on the Lido from August 30th to September 9th, 2023, under the direction of Alberto Barbera.