Venice fest to spotlight four erotic films

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 23 - Four erotic films - Diva Futura on the rise to stardom of adult performers Cicciolina, Moana Pozzi and Eva Henger; Babygirl starring Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas on sado-masochistic relations; Love on sex against societal norms; and Queer, Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of the cult William Burroughs novel with Daniel Craig - are among the most hotly anticipated offerings in store for visitors to the Venice Film Festival from August 28 to September 7.
    Diva Futura by Giulia Louise Steigerwalt is the story of the eponymous agency set up by Riccardo Schicchi (Pietro Castellitto) in the 1980s that would lead to Cicciolina, Pozzi, Henger and the other stars becoming household names and among other things to the creation of the Love Party aimed at improving sex education in schools.
    In Babygirl by Dutch director Halina Reijn, "Nicole Kidman is Romy, a dissatisfied manager who seeks comfort in a sado-masochistic relationship with her young intern, played by Harris Dickinson," said fest director Alberto Barbera.
    Bandera plays Kidman's husband, while Sophie Wilde (Talk to Me) is the assistant to Kidman's CEO.
    Love by Dag Johan Haugerud, "is the third film of a trilogy on the analysis of sexual behaviour in contrast to social norms, and which questions itself on the disparity between men and women," said Barbera.
    It is the last of the trilogy Sex, Dream and Love, whose first part caused a stir in Berlin last year.
    Guadagnino's Queer is "a dream come true" for the Sicilian director of Call Me By Your Name, he said..
    Set in 1950 in Mexico City, its shows Lee (Daniel Craig) as a dug addicted American expat who spends his days almost totally alone, but whose encounter with an off-duty navy sailor with similar drug tastes "deludes him into thinking he can finally make an intimate connection with someone," said Guadagnino.
    (ANSA).