Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix earned huge applause as Todd Phillips’ villainous musical sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux” received an 11-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night.
Before the premiere, Phoenix arrived early and was generous, taking selfies with fans. Phillips asked a guest to borrow her paper fan to fan herself and cool off in the hot temperatures. As Gaga arrived, her name was called as the paparazzi caused one of the biggest commotions of this year’s festival. Photographers tripped over each other on the carpet to get a photo of the star. One pink-haired fan held up a sign that read, “Gaga, I just want to hold you for a minute.” The Harley Quinn star needed help navigating her dress as an attendant took her hand to fans and signed a long line of autographs. Also in attendance at the premiere were big names like CAA CEO Bryan Lourd and Warner Bros. Pictures CEO Mike De Luca.
As Gaga walked down the steps from her balcony seat where she had watched the film, she signed autographs for her fans – and almost caused a stampede as the Italian little monsters shouted “Gaga, please! Gag, please!” in the hope of a selfie.
The admiration was too much for Phoenix, who left the cinema after nine minutes of applause. He and Gaga chatted intensely during the standing ovation and apparently talked about the film. Gaga also hugged her fiancé Michael Polansky twice during the celebration.
“Folie à Deux” is the sequel to Phillips’ 2019 film “Joker,” which also premiered in Venice and won the festival’s prestigious Golden Lion. It became the sixth highest-grossing film of the year and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Phoenix’s performance and original music for Hildur Guðnadóttir. It received a total of 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, becoming the first DC Comics film to do so.
Set two years after the events of Joker, Folie à Deux adds new stars in Lady Gaga and intrigues with a brand new musical element. According to the official synopsis, Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck, “currently a patient at Arkham State Hospital, falls in love with music therapist Lee (Gaga). When the duo experience musical madness due to their shared delusions, Arthur’s followers form a movement to free him.”
In a recent cover story with diversityPhillips explained his motivation for the sequel, as “Joker” was originally intended as a standalone film.
“Why do something if it doesn’t scare you to death?” asks Phillips. “I’m addicted to risk. I mean, they keep you up at night. They make your hair fall out. But it’s the sweat that keeps you going.”
Gaga last attended the Venice Film Festival in 2018 with Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” and received an eight-minute standing ovation for the film, which began the awards ceremony.
“Joker 2” also stars Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener and Zazie Beetz and will be released by Warner Bros. on October 4.
