Venice Film Festival: Tilda Swinton, Pedro Almodovar, Daniele Luchettia urge reopening of theatres

Oragnisers of the Venice Film Festival followed anti-virus restrictions that included protective masks during all screenings, theatres at a half or one-third capacity, and rigorous temperature checks and sanitisation Spanish director Pedro Almodovar has joined a chorus of voices at the Venice Film Festival urging the reopening of movie theatres after coronavirus lockdowns, saying films are meant to be seen on the big screen, not at home. Almodovar, who premiered his short film The Human Voice on Thursday, said streaming platforms had played an “essential role” in keeping people entertained during months of virus-required confinement at home. But he said they had also contributed to the “dangerous” phenomenon of people growing increasingly comfortable living, working, and eating at home — a type of “imprisonment” that he said must be resisted. But he conceded, “I believe we need to get used to this.” Tilda Swinton, who stars in Almodovar’s short and received a Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement award, made the same point from the stage of the Lido’s main theatre, saying she was overwhelmed seeing the eyes and ears of the audience “When I ask myself how I might adequately express my gratitude for this honour, words fail me,” she said.