Venice Diary Day 5: A Bicycle in the Gala Theatre, Harmony Korine’s Cigar and Late Night Libations on the Lido

A Bicycle in the Gala Theatre

Saturday kicks off with an accredited guest casually attempting to enter the Sala Grande on a bicycle. Security immediately stops him, but he retorts: “But there’s so much unused space in the foyer.”

Harmony Korine’s Lighted Cigar

Harmony Korine shows up at his press conference for his delirious Baby Invasion, a film shot in augmented reality with a multiplayer perspective, smoking a huge cigar. The smoke alarms fail to go off. When a journalist asks, “How do you plan to distribute this film?” Korine blows a cloud of smoke and replies, “Who said I want to distribute it?!” Joining the press conference is also a masked Baby Invader, who, to everyone’s amusement, only answers questions by shaking his head.

The Brazilian Lady with the Bird’s Nest on Her Head

Around the festival, a woman is spotted with what appears to be a bird’s nest on her head. She’s part of the crew for the Brazilian film Manas, in competition at the Giornate degli Autori. The “hat” is actually an indigenous good-luck headdress called Tererè.

Journalists Finally Catch a Break — Part One

Netflix hosts a poolside party at the Hotel Excelsior. The international press office announces, “Starting this fall, there will be plenty of interviews to do.” Finally, the journalists can raise a toast.

Journalists Finally Catch a Break — Part Two

In the evening, The Brutalist starring Adrien Brody is scheduled for screening. The film, in competition, runs nearly four hours, and without prior notice, the organizers decide to reinstate a mid-movie intermission. The journalists, initially confused, get up to stretch their legs. Suddenly, a countdown appears on the screen. The lights go down, and chaos ensues as everyone scrambles to get back to their seats.

Late Night on the Lido

But what’s the best way to end a night at the festival? With a sgroppino at Maleti’s Bar. The ingredients: 300g of lemon sorbet, 20cl of extra dry prosecco and 5cl of vodka. As for the teetotalers? They’re the ones who make sure everyone else gets home.