Mastercard and La Biennale di Venezia gives cinema lovers the chance to See life through a different lens

Join Bong Joon Ho, Tim Roth, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Paolo Virzì and Robin Wright for an exciting conversation series to celebrate the 78th Venice International Film Festival

August 30, 2021 - Mastercard, main sponsor of the 78th Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia (September 1 - 11), and proud supporter of cinematic magic, new talent, different perspective, invites cinema lovers, students and future talents to join an exclusive virtual conversation series in partnership with La Biennale di Venezia with some of the most influential talents in modern cinema. Together, we will discover how stories told by great filmmakers can create an impact that lasts far beyond the film itself.

A passion for cinema opens our eyes to new worlds, new issues and new challenges.  Those who create the magic on screen have the unique ability to show us life from a new perspective that can take us on a new journey or allow us to revisit familiar places in new ways. How these stories are made, enjoyed and experienced, changes based on the creative lens that starts the journey to the environment in which they are enjoyed.

Join us and Bong Joon Ho, Tim Roth, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Paolo Virzì and Robin Wright who will share their thoughts on how great cinema can drive different perspectives, trigger myriad emotions and influence our lives from the moment the film begins.

In our “Life Through a Different Lens: contactless connections – Exploring the power of cinema to connect us” events we will explore the role of the director, actor, cinematographer and all those in the film world, in building the stories that not only help us see life with a renewed perspective but connect us to new worlds, changed worlds and different worlds, filled with priceless possibilities.

“Cinema, unlike any other art form, invites and enables us to see life through a different lens. And as we navigate a changing environment, cinema has an even richer role to play.  We are happy to continue our close partnership with La Biennale di Venezia, to help people everywhere experience the transformational power of cinema”, said Jeannette Liendo, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing and Communications, Mastercard Europe. “By listening to the latest insights from the icons of cinema, we want to offer cinema lovers and film students engaging and unparalleled experiences, allowing them to be closer to the creation of this art which, for them, is Priceless”.

“Cinema is a window wide open to the world. Every quality film can teach us something, make us aware of the great changes taking place in contemporary society, influence our prejudices and our knowledge. Through the cinema, we can travel backwards to rediscover events that have been forgotten or deformed by custom and get to where we are unable to go with our limited means, whether it be to distant countries or to the future that awaits us. No art form can entertain and stun us at the same time more than cinema, helping to increase our awareness as individuals and citizens of the world. We are delighted to be able to count on Mastercard's collaboration to strengthen our commitment to supporting the cinema and its development" commented Alberto Barbera, Artistic Director of the Venice International Film Festival.

THE PROTAGONISTS

Bong Joon Ho made his feature film debut with Barking Dogs Never Bite before gaining international acclaim with Memories of Murder. The Host and Mother were a great success with audiences and critics and received numerous awards. He made his first foray into international production with Snowpiercer, which starred Chris Evans, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, and Octavia Spencer, and followed it up with Okja which also boasted a stellar international cast. His latest film Parasite won the Palme d’Or, the David di Donatello Award, a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and BAFTA Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best International Feature Film, and Best Picture.

Tim Roth is one of the most versatile and talented actors on the world film scene. Starring in films by masters such as Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Haneke, Robert Altman, Werner Herzog and Wim Wenders, he also lends himself to more popular projects such as The Incredible Hulk, successful TV series for Marvel/Disney +, not forgetting his commitment to the theatre, which has won him numerous awards. His most recent films include Mia Hansen-Love's Bergman Island and Michael Franco's Sundown.

Susan Sarandon, considered one of the best talents of her generation, received five Academy Award nominations for Atlantic City, Thelma & Louise, Lorenzo's Oil, The Client and won the statuette for Dead Man Walking. Throughout her career she has also been honored with a BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award, being nominated nine times for a Golden Globe and six times for an Emmy Award. In her long career she has worked with Billy Wilder, Jim Sharman, Louis Malle, Tony Scott, Paul Schrader, Joel Schumacher, John Turturro, Cameron Crowe, and Paul Haggis. In 2010, she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Marisa Tomei, Oscar winner for My Cousin Vincent, is nominated twice more for an Oscar for In the Bedroom and The Wrestler. She divides her time between theater and leading roles in cinema with Somebody to Love, The paper, Only You. After the film Welcome to Sarajevo, she made her mark with two comic roles in Slums of Beverly Hills and What Women Want. She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Before the Devil Knows You're Dead . She is cast as May Reilly in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far from Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Paolo Virzì, debuted in movie direction in 1994 in Venice with La Bella Vita. His work set from the popular Livorno of Ovosodo (Grand Jury Prize at the 54th Venice Film Festival) and The First Beautiful Thing to the on the road genre. Along the USA East Coast with The Leisure Seeker, in competition at the 74th Venice Film Festival, starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren (nominated by the Golden Globes as Best Actress). Magical Nights is his last film. He won 7 David di Donatello and 8 Nastri d’Argento. He was selected twice in the top five by the European Film Academy as Best European Movie Director. He represented Italy at the Oscars twice.

Robin Wright is an award-winning actress and philanthropist who is carving an indelible mark in Hollywood. Unforgettable in House of Cards, during her long and successful career, she played for Denis Villeneuve, Robert Redford, Robert Zemeckis, Nick Cassavetes, Rodrigo Garcia, David Fincher, Bennett Miller, Rob Reiner, Barry Levinson, Anthony Minghella, M. Night Shyamalan, Sean Penn, Peter Kosminsky, Luis Mandoki. In 2014, Wright launched Pour Les Femmes, a socially conscious sleepwear line, with clothing designer Karen Fowler. Robin is also a devoted advocate for the women of eastern Congo.

The “See life through a different lens” Conversation Series will be available on Mastercard Youtube, priceless.com and labiennale.org as follows:

Paolo Virzì, Wednesday September 1 – 4.30 p.m.

Tim Roth, Thursday September 2 - 4.30 p.m.

Robin Wright, Friday September 3 – 4.30 p.m.

Susan Sarandon, Saturday September 4 – 4.30 p.m.

Marisa Tomei, Sunday September 5 – 4.30 p.m.

Bong Joon Ho, Monday September 6 – 4.30 p.m.

-ENDS -