Downsizing, directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways, Bitter Paradise, Nebraska) and starring Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau and Kristen Wiig, is the opening film, in Competition, of the 74th Venice International Film Festival of the Biennale di Venice (August 30-September 9, 2017), directed by Alberto Barbera and organized by the Biennale chaired by Paolo Baratta.
Downsizing will have its world premiere screening on Wednesday 30 August in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema on the Venice Lido. Downsizing follows the adventures of Paul Safranek (Matt Damon), an ordinary man from Omaha who, together with his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig), dreams of a better life. To respond to the global crisis caused by overpopulation, scientists have developed a radical solution that allows humans to shrink to a few centimeters in height. People soon discover that their savings are worth more in a smaller world, and with the promise of a luxurious lifestyle beyond their wildest dreams, Paul and Audrey decide to take a chance on this controversial practice by embarking on a adventure that will change their lives forever.
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Alexander Payne made his directorial debut with "The Story of Ruth," which was followed by Election (1999). In 2004 he made "Sideways - Traveling with Jack", thanks to which Payne won the Oscar for best non-original screenplay, an award he obtained a second time in 2012 with the film "Bitter Paradise". Both Sideways and Jack were nominated for four other Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. In 2013 he directed "Nebraska" which was presented in competition at Cannes, where the protagonist Bruce Dern received the Palma for best male performance. The film also received six Academy Award nominations and five Golden Globe nominations.
While we are already looking at Venice, Spider Man breaks the box office and beats the Monkeys. Spider-Man: Homecoming was the king of last weekend's takings in Italian cinemas with 1.285.526 euros and a total of 5.143.687 euros in two weeks as The War debuts and records 1.155.464 euros. A situation reversed in the US where the debut of the Monkeys got 56,5 million dollars, Spider-Man: Homecoming 45,2 million and 208,2 million in total. Third place in Italy for Transformers-The Last Knight which collects 154.661 euros (total 4.409.929 euros). In fourth position the thriller “2:22-The fate is already written” (94.476).
Followed by two new entries Black Butterfly (85.672) and Wish Upon (75.911). Seventh place for La Mummia, 51.722 euros, total 4.443.419. In the eighth Pirates of the Caribbean – Salazar's Revenge with 41.514 euros (12.335.105). The new entry Dog eats dog (24.132) and Civiltà perduta (19.119) conclude. Total collections €3.299.057, -1,13% compared to the same period of 2016 (3.336.634). Top ten 2.988.196, +5,62% compared to 2016 (2.829.100).
