Reviews: Venice Cult debuts with Comicon and a documentary on Manara

by Marco Milano

The first edition of Venezia Cult, a new festival bringing the BlueMoon to life on the Venice Lido during the Venice International Film Festival, is underway. This project was born from a partnership between Comicon and Aka Lab, a creative workshop for under-thirty artists led by Francesco Marchetti and Andrea Vailati that brings together film, music, publishing, comics, and digital media in a free and inclusive space. "Venezia Cult transforms the central area of ​​the BlueMoon into a true open-air stage," Comicon explains, "with meetings with national and international stars, live podcasts, critical talks, evening events, and social gatherings that bring cinema and pop culture to a broad and curious audience. All events are free to attend, confirming the festival's inclusive and participatory mission." The publishing section, curated and developed in partnership with Comicon, will bring to the Lido big names in comics and illustration, including Tanino Liberatore, Manuele Fior, Fumettibrutti, Milo Manara, and Gianluca Buttolo, along with the Gigaciao collective (with a live episode of the Power Pizza podcast), Andrea Fiamma and Ale Giorgini with their Cinecalendario, and authors like Roberto Recchioni, Quasirosso, and Wallie, who redefine the imagery and languages ​​of contemporary visual culture. "Comicon's presence guarantees Venezia Cult," Comicon continues, "a strong connection with the world of comics and pop culture, helping to build a creative bridge between cinema, the visual arts, and new generations of audiences." Furthermore, Venezia Cult dedicates ample space to publishing with presentations, meetings, and book signings, "transforming the book into a daily companion for discovery and discussion."

Among the most anticipated releases is Daniele Orazi's Ostiawood, while Sagoma Editore will curate the film section. The festival continues after dark with DJ sets, themed parties like the Winx Club, the African Piano Beach Party, and a day entirely dedicated to the world of gaming, organized with Asmodee and the party game Dixit Cinema. At Venezia Cult, the digital world also makes room for original creators and projects like Laguna Pop, a live and social format that ironically reimagines the festival narrative. Numerous content creators, critics, and communicators will take turns on stage and in the audience, making the space a melting pot of languages ​​and visions. The event runs daily until September 5th. Furthermore, on September 4th, the Venice International Film Festival hosts a special tribute to a major figure in the world of comics, Milo Manara. Now available for preview is "Manara," the documentary directed by Valentina Zanella and co-written by Tito Faraci and Federico Fava, which explores the creative universe, sensibility, and cultural impact of the Veronese maestro. "Manara is not just a filmed biography," according to the presentation of the event announced at Comicon, "but a journey into the mind and passions of an artist who transformed drawing into a universal narrative. From his early days to his international success, including collaborations with masters such as Fellini and Pratt, the documentary intertwines his life and work, revealing the complexity of an artist capable of breaking down boundaries between comics, cinema, and literature."

Giving voice to Manara's legacy are colleagues, friends, and admirers, from Frank Miller to Paolo Conte, along with Elodie, Tanino Liberatore, Vincenzo Mollica, Nicola Piovani, Fumettibrutti, Valeria Parrella, David Riondino, and many others. A chorus that highlights the Maestro's far-reaching influence, inspiring generations of authors, musicians, writers, and visual artists. Produced by K+ with the contribution of the Veneto Region and the support of the Veneto Film Commission, "Manara" was selected for the Confronti section of the Venice Days, an independent festival parallel to the Venice Film Festival. "This recognition confirms the artistic and cultural value of a work created to showcase not only a great cartoonist, but also a way of understanding creative freedom."

After its presentation in Venice on September 4th, the documentary will be released in Italian cinemas on September 8th, offering the general public the chance to discover (or rediscover) Manari's imagery on the big screen.