Claire Foy led the arrivals at the Palazzo del Casino on Wednesday as she joined co-stars Jack O'Connell and Guy Pearce for the Ink photocall at the Venice Film Festival.
The cast gathered on the Lido barrier island ahead of the biographical drama's world premiere on Wednesday evening. Ink has been selected to open the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, where it will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award.
The Venice International Film Festival, held annually on the Lido in Venice, Italy, is the world's oldest film festival and one of the Big Three major international film events alongside Cannes and Berlin. The Palazzo del Casino, a historic venue on the Lido promenade, hosts the festival's official press conferences and photocalls.
Foy, 42, led the stylish arrivals in an oversized grey shorts suit. The actress teamed a charcoal blazer featuring contrasting black lapels with a simple white top and matching tailored Bermuda shorts. She completed the co-ord with burgundy sandals and added a vibrant pop of colour with an emerald green woven clutch.
Wearing her auburn bob in loose waves, the actress appeared in high spirits as she posed alongside her co-stars. Foy is best known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix historical drama series The Crown, a role that earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
O'Connell, 36, opted for a more casual look at the press event, wearing a fitted white Henley top, black trousers, and matching shoes. The English actor gained initial recognition in the television series Skins before starring in films including Unbroken and 71.
Red Carpet Fashion at the Lido
Pearce, 58, was dressed head-to-toe in luxury Italian brand Brunello Cucinelli. He paired a deconstructed Cavallo linen blazer with a button-down twill shirt and lightweight five-pocket denim trousers, finishing the ensemble with a braided calfskin belt, polished leather and suede penny loafers, a silk pocket square, and Panto acetate sunglasses.
Pearce is an Australian actor recognised for his roles in major feature films such as L.A. Confidential, Memento, and The King's Speech. In the new film, he portrays Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
The lead actors were joined at the Palazzo del Casino by director Danny Boyle, 69, who wore a dark suit over a green polo shirt, and writer James Graham, 44. The team posed together against the sun-soaked Venetian backdrop ahead of the evening screening.
Fleet Street Drama Opens Venice Competition
Ink plunges its lead characters into the turbulent world of Fleet Street in 1969. The biographical drama chronicles Rupert Murdoch's 1969 acquisition of British newspaper The Sun and his appointment of editor Larry Lamb.
Fleet Street, located in central London, served as the historic center of British national journalism for centuries, giving its name to the national press. During the late 1960s, British print media experienced fierce commercial competition among rival publishers for national readership.
The film opens with Murdoch attempting to persuade Lamb to run his newly acquired newspaper and fulfill his ambition of making it the greatest in the world. 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 editorial team. The story unfolds against the backdrop of 1969, the historic year of NASA's Apollo 11 Moon landing mission, as Lamb assembles a ragtag newsroom to relaunch the title.
Stage Origins and Production Details
Ink was adapted by Graham from his stage play of the same name. The original theatrical production premiered in London's West End in 2017 before transferring to Broadway two years later in 2019.
The stage version received four Olivier Award nominations in London, while its Broadway run won two Tony Awards, including best featured actor in a play for Bertie Carvel's portrayal of Murdoch. The Olivier Awards honour achievements in London theatre, while the Tony Awards recognize excellence on Broadway.
The film also reunites director Boyle with actor O'Connell following their previous work together on the upcoming feature 28 Years Later. Boyle is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for directing Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, and 127 Hours.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Boyle reflected on bringing the project to Venice. "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," Boyle said. He added that Graham's script was one he felt "compelled and privileged to make."
Ink arrives in UK cinemas on January 8 and will be available to stream on Netflix in the United States on the same day, following a limited US cinema release starting December 11. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival runs through September 12, with stars including actor Robert Pattinson and Oasis musicians Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher expected to attend.
