Jolie and Pitt steer clear at Venice Film Festival

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had the premieres of their films at the ongoing Venice International Film Festival. The actors have not been a couple since 2016 and have been involved in a film-related battle for years. Did they meet on Lido?

Brangelina, the union of Jolie and Pitt, sparked immense emotions in the press and among fans for years. The media went wild when the actors officially announced their relationship (they fell in love on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"). Angelina Jolie was seen as a heartbreaker and the woman who ended Pitt’s relationship with America's sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston. Many thought the fiery romance would quickly fizzle out, but the couple had three biological and three adopted children. However, their happy saga ended 8 years ago when the actress filed for divorce. Since then, the pair have been accusing each other and fighting over the custody of their children (though the children seem to side with their mother unanimously. Shiloh even filed a petition to change her name from Jolie-Pitt to Jolie legally).

Considering the tense atmosphere between the former spouses, it is no surprise they did not want to meet during this year’s festival in Venice. The event organizers undoubtedly had to keep this in mind, scheduling their film premieres at appropriate intervals. Alberto Barbera, the festival’s artistic director, told Vanity Fair in an interview that "they cannot meet each other on Lido". (Lido is a small island, about a 10-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square in Venice, where one of the major film events occurs).

Angelina Jolie arrived in Venice on Thursday to attend a press conference and the premiere of the film "Maria" by Pablo Larraín, in which she portrays Maria Callas. The Chilean director’s film gives her a chance for a grand comeback to the screen after a long break, making her a strong candidate for next year’s Oscar nominations. The actress did not hide that this was a very important moment for her, and a 7-minute ovation after the first official screening brought her to tears. Jolie impressed with her elegant beauty and smiled for photos with her fans. This day belonged to her.

The actress did not stay in Italy for long. By Saturday afternoon, she was at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, where she participated in a Q&A. After she visited Europe, there was much talk about her being accompanied by the well-known rapper Akala. The press is wondering whether he is the new love interest of the American actress. She has not commented on this matter, and at the press conference on Lido, she answered journalists' questions very cautiously. Certainly, her response to the question about her grand return to the world of cinema deserves attention. She admitted, "I needed to be at home with my family over the past years.” She added that playing Maria Callas was therapeutic in a way she didn’t realise she needed. Besides, she took the role because “when you feel a certain type of despair, pain, and love, at the right moment… (opera) can be the only sound that explains that pain.”

Meanwhile, Brad Pitt arrived in Venice on Saturday, and "Wolfs" premiere took place on Sunday. Along with George Clooney, they put on quite a show on Lido, interacting with the crowd, laughing with photographers, and dancing on the red carpet. Pitt came to Italy with his new partner Ines de Ramon (she was previously married to Paul Wesley of "The Vampire Diaries"). They posed for photos together, but Pitt’s interactions with the “Ocean’s 11” star have been heating up social media for days. If the plan was to draw fans’ attention, it certainly succeeded and somewhat overshadowed Angelina Jolie. At the press conference, Pitt was quite reserved, and Clooney took on the task of talking to journalists and promoting the film. Both laughed that in "Wolfs" they could “beat each other up,” Pitt emphasised that with age, he appreciates working with people he knows well even more.

The former spouses concluded their visits to Venice without major incidents. They will not run into each other due to other professional obligations. Besides, "Wolfs" is in the out-of-competition section, and Pitt’s presence at the closing gala is not required. On the other hand, Angelina Jolie is a strong contender for an acting award. Nevertheless, we cannot expect her in Lido on 7 September, during the festival’s closing, as she will be in Toronto. That’s where the film "Without Blood" premiere starring Salma Hayek, which Jolie directed, will take place. The actors have managed to avoid each other splendidly.