Danny Boyle’s latest film, Ink, will open the 83rd Venice International Film Festival after being selected as the festival’s opening film, organisers announced on Thursday.
According to AP, the film is adapted from James Graham’s award-winning stage play and explores the rise of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and former The Sun editor Larry Lamb.
Set against Murdoch’s 1969 acquisition of The Sun, Ink follows how the newspaper evolved into Britain’s most influential tabloid. Guy Pearce plays Murdoch, while Jack O’Connell stars as Lamb. Claire Foy also appears in the film.
In a statement, Boyle said Ink tells the story of two men who reshaped modern media long before the arrival of Fox News, social media and digital clickbait. He said the newspaper challenged the establishment and helped redefine the modern media landscape.
Boyle described the Venice selection as “a huge honour.” He added that although he has attended the Venice Biennale many times, this will be his first film competing in the festival’s official competition.
Ink will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion when the festival opens on 2 September. Organisers are expected to unveil the full competition line-up next week.
James Graham’s original play premiered in London in 2017 before transferring to Broadway in 2019, where it earned multiple Tony Award nominations and wins.
Graham previously said he wrote the play before the rise of Donald Trump and Brexit, but intended it to capture the growing wave of populism.
