Joker To Be Oscar Nomination? Yes According Venice Film Festival Judge

This week saw the  programme launch for the 2019 Venice Film Festival. There was one surprising entry, Todd Phillips Joker which will make its World Premiere. The inclusion has not surprised some, what has surprised many is the film will play in the highly coveted ‘Competitions’ strand.

Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera is not surprised. Frankly he believes it should be in line for an Oscars nomination.

Talking to Variety Barbera was asking questions about some of the festivals film . He was asked how it was unusual for Warner Bros. to have a film in Competitions strand…

“Yes, as usual they said they wanted to be in a more protected situation ([as with A Star Is Born last year, which launched out of competition). But then (director) Todd Phillips said: “I don’t care if I run the risk of not winning. Why shouldn’t I go in competition when I know what we’ve I’ve got on our hands?

I have to say, Warners was convinced pretty rapidly, because it’s a really surprising film. It’s the most surprising film we’ve got this year…This one’s going straight to the Oscars even though it’s gritty, dark, violent. It has amazing ambition and scope.”

It maybe a bit too early to think about films to be Oscar contender. Barbera has seen the film and this is only a personal view be it from an prestige film festival director. What his comments are a massive seal of approval for Todd Phillips film. Comic Book films have dominated the cinema screens for over ten years, Barbera may also jumping on the hype machine. Compared to previous years Venice is lacking on Hollywood films with many heading to Toronto Film Festival.

We do hope Joker will deliver the anticipation of a solo film based on Batman’s iconic nemesis. Making him human, grounded, inspired by Martin Scorsese 1970’s films is an intriguing move. Like the struggle Netflix have had to get their films accepted at Film Festivals, comic book films have to be taken seriously. this film may not be based in Batman’s cinematic timeline, the prospect of an dark, gritty thriller winning a Oscar is mouth watering.