George Clooney embraced a playful role behind the camera on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival Friday evening, coinciding with the premiere of his film "Furies." The Lebanese heist thriller, on which Clooney served as an executive producer, has garnered positive early reviews from critics.
The film centers on two sisters who devise a plan to rob a bank to retrieve their frozen savings from corrupt financial institutions, a plot set against the backdrop of Beirut's economic collapse. "Furies" is directed by Rami Kodeih, and stars Rym Mroue and Maria Nakouzi.
Critics have described the film as "riveting" and "high-action." The Hollywood Reporter noted that the movie "infuses a time-tested genre with the unpredictable energy of real people interacting," praising the "offhand wisea*s humour of siblings who know and love each other deeply." IndieWire characterized the filmmaking as "kinetic and alive," suggesting that while the story beats are familiar, the execution is vibrant. ScreenDaily called it a "messy but enjoyable watch," highlighting the strong on-screen chemistry between co-stars Nakouzi and Mroue as the element holding the narrative together.
Clooney, 65, arrived at the festival with his wife, Amal Clooney. He had received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award on the festival's opening day. Dressed in a navy suit, the actor appeared to be in good spirits as he interacted with the cast and took photos with a large camera.
Clooney has been a regular presence at the Venice Film Festival for nearly three decades, having first attended with "Out of Sight." The festival has been the site of several significant personal and professional moments for the actor, including his wedding and the debut of "Good Night, and Good Luck," which earned him an Oscar nomination for best director.
Earlier in the week, Clooney paid tribute to his wife, Amal, a human rights lawyer, during his acceptance speech for the Golden Lion. He referred to her as a "badass" for her work, including her role in holding ISIS members accountable for genocide. He also touched upon their family life, noting the balance between their public profiles and raising their children.