The Documentary Renaissance on the Lido The Venice Film Festival has long been synonymous with glamour and prestige, its red carpet a showcase for A list stars to strut their stuff.
But this year, the real stars are not the famous faces walking the carpet, but rather the subjects of documentaries that range from captivating to urgent.
For years, Venice has championed documentary filmmaking as an essential part of its programming. Under artistic director Alberto Barbera, nonfiction films have become increasingly integral to the festival's DNA.