Sigourney Weaver Advocates for Conservation, Receives Surprise from James Cameron at Venice Film Festival
Sigourney Weaver, a renowned actress and environmental advocate, was honored with an honorary Golden Lion at the opening ceremony of the 81st Venice Film Festival in Italy. During her acceptance speech, Weaver emphasized the significance of local conservation efforts, using Venice as a prime example.
“The true story of conservation is not a global one of doom and gloom,” Weaver said, after receiving the award from French actress Camille Cottin. “It is the story of people coming together to take care of their own homes, their own neighborhoods.” Weaver praised the MOSE project, a series of barriers designed to protect the Venetian Lagoon from flooding, as a key example of effective local action.
Weaver connected her honor at Venice with the city's environmental efforts, stating, “There’s another reason why this Golden Lion of Venice means so much to me. If you were to climb on the back of my winged leone d’oro [Golden Lion], and soar with me over Venice, we would look down on the Grand Canal; but we would also see the gates of MOSE, the barriers.”
The MOSE project, initiated by the Venice Water Authority under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, began in 2003. Despite several delays, it is now slated for completion in 2025, following a successful test in 2020.
In a surprise during the ceremony, Weaver received a video message from director James Cameron, with whom she collaborated on "Aliens" and the "Avatar" series. “It’s such an absolute joy to work with you, Sigourney,” Cameron said. He praised Weaver's unique blend of preparation and instinct, adding, “If you ask me, she’s way overdue for that Oscar, if there’s any justice.”
Cameron concluded his message by expressing his excitement for future collaborations in the world of Pandora, the setting of the "Avatar" films.
Earlier in the ceremony, French actress Camille Cottin commended Weaver for her long-standing support of LGBTQ+ rights and environmental causes. Italian actress Sveva Alviti, who hosted the evening, presented a montage of Weaver’s illustrious career, with the camera capturing Weaver’s visibly moved reaction.
After the tribute to Weaver, Isabelle Huppert, the president of the Competition jury, took to the stage to officially open the festival.
The ceremony also marked the world premiere of Tim Burton's out-of-competition film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," featuring a star-studded cast including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, and Jenna Ortega. The premiere was well-attended despite the high temperatures earlier in the day.
Earlier, Isabelle Huppert and other jury heads, including Horizons jury head Debra Granik, participated in a press conference. The conference was opened by the newly appointed Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, whose controversial right-wing views have sparked discussions since his appointment.
Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera expressed his optimism about this year's festival, noting the significant presence of international stars compared to last year. Barbera also addressed concerns about journalists' limited access to talent, acknowledging the challenge but expressing hope for a resolution.