The Crown‘s Clare Foy was a world away from the Queen’s tweeds and headscarves tonight – the star of the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in a bold red dress, complete with old-school movie star diamonds.
Foy, 42, plays a fictional newspaper executive at The Sun, Jules Davies, in Danny Boyle‘s Ink, which is about the mogul’s take over of the newspaper in 1969.
She was joined at the premiere by leading men Guy Pearce, 58, who portrays Rupert Murdock, and Jack O’Connell, 36, who stars as Larry Lamb.
Meanwhile, George Clooney, 65, was dressed to the nines in a tuxedo while his dazzling wife Amal, 48, looked a picture of elegance in a Tom Ford gown.
Foy said today that she found her adventure in the world of 1960s tabloid journalism ‘really intoxicating’ and felt jealous of reporters.
‘They had power at their fingertips,’ she said. ‘They knew what they wrote would be what people read and what people believed.’
Pearce revealed that he had reached out to Murdoch via his daughter Elisabeth, and that Murdoch was quite pleased by the casting. The film is based on a stage play which Murdoch himself came to see twice.
Pearce said: ‘I had some messaging with Elisabeth [Murdoch], his daughter, and she said ‘Dad’s very happy that you are playing him.’ But he hadn’t seen the film at that point.’
The Crown’s Clare Foy was a world away from the Queen’s tweeds as she led the stars on the red carpet at the opening night of Venice Film Festival tonight
George Clooney and his dazzling wife Amal looked picture perfect in matching black tie outfits as they descended on the red carpet for the opening night
She was joined at the premiere by leading men Guy Pearce (L), 58, who portrays Rupert Murdock, and Jack O’Connell (R), 36, who stars as Larry Lamb
Director Danny Boyle said that at the time Murdoch, now 93, ‘represented at the time a breath of fresh air in what was a very rigid British society. It begins with something that’s fun and different, challenging a rigid order.’
The media was also on the mind of actor Clooney – whose father Nick is a retired news anchor and journalist.
Clooney is in Venice to accept a Lifetime Achievement award, given before the premiere.
After posing for pictures with wife Amal he jokingly took up a place among the bank of press photographers and pretended to take pictures himself.
Clooney joked that he’s been getting nostalgic in the run up to the festival.
He said: ‘I’m 65 years old — everything is melancholy. You brush your teeth and you’re like, ‘My teeth used to be so much better.’ Everything about getting older…,’ he said.
He added: ‘I also feel very lucky. I have an incredible wife whom I love very much and she loves me. I have great kids. I think life is pretty good.’
He explained that he is working less as he gets older, and has stepped away from directing movies as it takes up too much time.
Foy channelled old Hollywood glamour in a red gown and opera gloves while making her show-stopping arrival
Foy, 42, plays a fictional newspaper executive at The Sun, Jules Davies, in Danny Boyle’s Ink, which is about the mogul’s take over of the newspaper in 1969
Foy said today that she found her adventure in the world of 1960s tabloid journalism ‘really intoxicating’ and felt jealous of reporters
‘They had power at their fingertips,’ she said. ‘They knew what they wrote would be what people read and what people believed’
All eyes were on Foy as she descended on the red carpet in front of an army of photographers
Amal was a picture of elegance in a ruched black Tom Ford gown
The couple wrapped their arms around each other while posing for photos
After posing for pictures with wife Amal he jokingly took up a place among the bank of press photographers and pretended to take pictures himself
‘I have two 9-year-old kids. If I act in a movie, it’s three months [away]. When I direct a movie, it’s a year. And I can’t do that anymore.
‘I can’t pull the kids out of school anymore. I’m happy to doing this, being an actor, again. It’s fun. I’m a character actor now.’
He said that he hopes to make a new Oceans movie with good friends Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, adding: ‘As soon as we get our schedules to work, we’re going to film.’
Having become famous thanks to the TV series ER, he went on to appear in films including Out of Sight, Syriana, Three Kings, O Brother Where Art Thou and Jay Kelly, which was at the festival last year.
His co-star in that film, Laura Dern, presented him with the award last night.
Claire was joined alongside her dapper movie co-star Jack O’Connell, whose latest roles plunge them into the turbulent world of Fleet Street in 1969.
Directed by Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire filmmaker Boyle, the biographical drama chronicles Rupert Murdoch‘s 1969 acquisition of The Sun and his appointment of editor Larry Lamb.
Pearce portrays the Australian media mogul, while O’Connell stars as Lamb, who was tasked with transforming the struggling newspaper into a tabloid capable of overtaking its rival, the Daily Mirror.
Foy plays Jules Davies, the sole female reporter recruited to the newspaper’s fledgling team.
The film opens with Murdoch attempting to persuade Lamb to run his newly acquired newspaper and fulfil his ambition of making it the greatest in the world.
Its story unfolds against the backdrop of 1969, the year of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, as Lamb assembles a ragtag newsroom to relaunch the title.
Ink was adapted by Graham from his play of the same name, which premiered in London’s West End in 2017 before transferring to Broadway two years later.
The original production received four Olivier Award nominations, while its Broadway run won two Tony Awards, including best featured actor in a play for Bertie Carvel’s portrayal of Murdoch.
The film also reunites Boyle with O’Connell following their work together on 28 Years Later.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Boyle said: ‘I’ve been to the Biennale many times, but this is my baptism at the film festival – a huge honour to be in a city of such extraordinary art and opening this great festival with my new film INK.
‘A script by James Graham I felt compelled and privileged to make.’
The film arrives in UK cinemas on January 8 and will be available to stream on Netflix in the US on the same day.
It will also have a limited cinema run on December 11 in the US.
The Venice International Film Festival runs until September 12, with stars including Robert Pattinson and Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher expected to descend on the Lido.
