Post by : Rameen Ariff

Photo : AFP

Hollywood star Julia Roberts is stepping into the world of academia in her latest film, After the Hunt, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival this Friday. The movie, directed by Italy’s Luca Guadagnino, also stars Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield. This marks Roberts’ first appearance on the Lido’s famous red carpet.

Plot and Themes

In the film, Roberts plays Alma Olsson, a philosophy professor at Yale University. Her life changes dramatically when a close colleague is accused of assault by one of her favourite students. The story explores how academics deal with loyalty, power, and identity when faced with complex issues like generational conflict and campus assault allegations.

The drama raises difficult questions without offering clear answers. It challenges audiences to think about morality, truth, and human behavior. Director Guadagnino said the movie is about “the collision of competing perspectives rather than offering a clear moral verdict.” He added, “Everyone has their own truth. It’s not that one truth is more important than another.”

Roberts on Her Role

Julia Roberts spoke to reporters about the film, emphasizing that it is not meant to be politically correct or make statements. “We are portraying these people in these moments of time,” she said. “We are challenging people to have a conversation and to be excited by that or to be infuriated by that.”

Roberts described her character, Alma, as complex and conflicted. Alma struggles with addiction to painkillers and the challenges of responding to the assault allegation. Roberts said she enjoys playing characters that face moral and emotional conflicts. “Trouble is where the juicy stuff is, right? Once one falls, suddenly everywhere you turn there’s some new piece of challenge. That’s what makes it worth getting up and going to work in the morning,” she said.

Director Luca Guadagnino’s Vision

Guadagnino, known for his stylish and thoughtful films, said the movie also explores ambition and the pursuit of power. Alma’s character navigates a politically charged atmosphere at Yale while balancing personal and professional challenges. Guadagnino remarked, “When I see the ambition of wanting something beyond other people, I’m quite interested, because it’s a damnation. I just wanted tranquillity.”

Guadagnino continues to work at a fast pace, releasing almost one major film each year. Last year, he presented a film with Daniel Craig at Venice, and in 2022, he showcased Bones & All with Timothée Chalamet at the same festival. His 2023 project, Challengers, was scheduled to premiere at Venice but was withdrawn due to the actors’ strike.

Venice Film Festival Premiere

After the Hunt is playing out of competition at Venice, meaning it will not compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award, which will be announced on September 6. Despite this, the film has generated significant attention for its themes, performances, and Roberts’ first-time presence on the Venice red carpet.

After the Hunt is a thought-provoking drama that examines loyalty, power, and truth in a university setting. Julia Roberts delivers a compelling performance as a conflicted professor, while Luca Guadagnino’s direction ensures that audiences are challenged to think deeply about complex issues. The film’s premiere at Venice highlights its cultural importance and its ability to spark conversation about difficult social topics.