SAINT LAURENT’S FEATURE FILM AT THIS YEAR’S VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

words by NATALIE GAL

Many of you, dear readers, likely know Saint Laurent for its historical significance and ongoing influence in the fashion world. However, the house is now presenting its fourth feature film, Father Mother Sister Brother, written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. Making the news even more exciting, the film will be in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

A remarkable cast will appear on the grand screen: Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Sarah Greene, Indya Moore, Luka Sabbat, and Françoise Lebrun. With such a lineup, we can anticipate a memorable piece. These actors are known not only for their dramatic and emotional depth but also for their comedic ability, so we’re watching with great curiosity.

This marks Saint Laurent’s debut at the Venice Film Festival, following two consecutive appearances at Cannes. The brand first participated in 2023 with two short films: Strange Way of Life by Pedro Almodóvar and Trailer of the Film That Will Never Exist by none other than the late genius, Jean-Luc Godard. The following year, Saint Laurent returned with three feature films in competition: Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard, Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino, and The Shrouds by David Cronenberg.

This year’s film is structured as a triptych, with three stories exploring the complex and universally resonant relationships between adult children and their parents. A unique idea, that can be very well executed and gives platform for creatives and artists to play around. Though set in the present day, each segment unfolds in a different location: the Northeastern United States, Dublin, and Paris. The film is a character-driven study, it is observational and analytical, but with a gentle melancholy that is balanced by moments of subtle humor.