George Clooney’s Unforgettable Moments at Venice Film Festival

George Clooney and Venice share an unparalleled connection, encapsulating many memorable moments over the years.

Twenty-six years ago, Clooney attended his first Venice Film Festival with the exhilarating movie “Out of Sight.” Just seven years later, he premiered “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a film that earned him his first Best Director nomination. A decade ago, Clooney and Amal Alamuddin exchanged vows at the luxurious Aman Venice Hotel, which overlooks the stunning Grand Canal.

Venice is one of Clooney’s favorite cities, known globally for its beauty. Additionally, he owns a 15-bedroom villa on Lake Como, the same location featured in “Ocean’s Twelve.” Despite his frequent proximity to Venice and significant ties to its film festival, Clooney hasn’t had a movie debut there for seven years. However, that will change next week with the premiere of “Wolfs,” a heist thriller by Jon Watts, reuniting him with Brad Pitt.

Over the years, Clooney and Pitt have often made memorable appearances together on Venice’s red carpet. In celebration of Clooney’s return, let’s reflect on his most iconic moments at the Venice Film Festival.

In 1998, the critically acclaimed “Out of Sight” marked Clooney’s initial connection with Venice. Promoting the film alongside Jennifer Lopez, he was just 37 at the time and had recently left the television series “ER.”

Five years later, in 2003, Clooney starred in “Intolerable Cruelty,” a Coen brothers’ film that premiered out of competition during the 60th Venice Film Festival. The festival featured other notable titles such as “Matchstick Men” and “The Dreamers.” By this time, Clooney’s Italian residence was widely known, making him a popular figure for paparazzi.

In 2005, Clooney directed the celebrated film “Good Night and Good Luck,” which depicted journalist Edward R. Murrow’s confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Though it didn’t win the Golden Lion, losing to Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain,” it still garnered six Oscar nominations. During this trip, Clooney’s drink of choice inspired the creation of a cocktail called Buona Notte at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani’s Gabbiano Bar.

Two years later, “Michael Clayton,” a film where Clooney played a legal fixer, competed in the Venice Film Festival. Despite strong competition, the top prize went to Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution.”

In 2008, Clooney and Pitt starred in the Coen brothers’ comedy “Burn After Reading.” The movie debuted out of competition on the festival’s opening night. Clooney humorously mentioned at a press conference that the role completed his “trilogy of idiots” for the Coens, a sentiment Pitt echoed playfully.

“The Ides of March,” a political thriller directed by Clooney and featuring Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman, opened the festival out of competition in 2011. Clooney was then prompted with numerous political questions, commenting on the difficulty of governance during challenging times.

In 2013, Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity,” starring Clooney and Sandra Bullock, opened the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival. The critically acclaimed film went on to win seven Oscars. At the premiere, Clooney downplayed his role humorously, acknowledging the limited parts available.

One of the most talked-about events took place on September 27, 2014, when Clooney and Amal Alamuddin wed in Venice. With over 100 loved ones, including notable figures like Bono and Matt Damon, in attendance, the wedding was held at the opulent Aman Grand Canal hotel. Amal wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown, while Clooney donned a chic Giorgio Armani tuxedo.

In 2017, Clooney returned to Venice with “Suburbicon,” a dark comedic satire featuring Matt Damon and Julianne Moore. This event marked the couple’s first public appearance after the birth of their twins, Alexander and Ella.

This year, George Clooney witnessed a different kind of spotlight at Venice when he accompanied Amal, honored with an award by the Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation for her work in human rights law. Their appearance at the adjacent DVF Awards provided a much-needed glamor boost to the festival amid actor strikes. Amal gracefully acknowledged her husband during the event, expressing her admiration and love.

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