Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist is the Opening Film, Out of Competition, of the 80th Venice International Film Festival taking place August 30 to September 9, 2023.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature, who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
Challengers will be distributed in the US by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures / Amazon Studios, and opens in theaters on September 15.
Luca Guadagnino said, “I am so thrilled for audiences to experience my new film Challengers at the Venice Film Festival. It’s a modern bold story of youthful energy, love and power. Zendaya, Josh and Mike are totally original and fresh, bringing a new energy like you’ve never seen before. I can’t wait for the Lido audience to dance across the notes of the soundtrack of Trent and Atticus at the opening night of the 80th edition of the Mostra. As a filmmaker, it is a dream come true and I am grateful to Alberto and the whole Venice family for this wonderful recognition for the film.”
Challengers is Guadagnino’s new return to the Lido. He premiered Bones and All at the Mostra in 2022, that won the Silver Lion – Award for Best Director. Previously, Guadagnino premiered several films in Venice: The Protagonists (1999), Io sono l’amore (2009), Bertolucci on Bertolucci (2013), A Bigger Splash (2015), Suspiria (2018), Salvatore: The Shoemaker of Dreams (2020). He is the writer, director, and producer of Call Me by Your Name, with which he is Academy Award nominee for Best Picture. Guadagnino has served as President of the Jury of the Beirut International Film Festival (2011) and as President of the Jury at the 68th San Sebastián Festival.
Alberto Barbera said, “Luca Guadagnino is one of the few Italian directors who has always been accustomed to working with both Italian and foreign actresses and actors, getting top results from all of them each time. Even when he is filming abroad as is the case with Challengers. With a light hand and sporting self-confidence, Guadagnino sets no limits to his creative energy in this film as he deals with topics such as love, friendship, and male rivalry, and brings to life an enthralling and affecting movie, full of irony, sensuality, and good nature. Cinema in its purest form.”
Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is written by Justin Kuritzkes and produced by Amy Pascal, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, Rachel O’Connor. Executive Producers are Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, and Kevin Ulrich. Music by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.