Jodie Comer steals the show for The Last Duel premiere at Venice Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival 2021 drew to a close over the weekend, and while Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez received plenty of attention as they made their official debut as a couple on the red carpet for The Last Duel - Jodie Comer was getting recognition for her performance in the film.
Variety reports that all eyes were on Affleck and Lopez as they arrived in the theatre to take their seats at the premiere, with "a roar came from the onlookers as well as a blaze of light from their cell-phones" as they entered the room. It marked the couple's first red carpet event since they began their relationship after almost two decades apart, and it was one of the highlights of the festival for many fans.
However, when the movie came to its conclusion, "it was Comer who was the focus of attention when the lights went up after the film's dramatic ending, which was followed by two minutes' applause", the publication added. When her name appeared on the closing credits, it "provoked a sudden surge in the applause, and as the room was illuminated all eyes were on her, not the other stars".
The Last Duel - starring Affleck, Adam Driver and Matt Damon - tells the story of a woman who claims she's been assaulted by her husband's best friend. Adapted from The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France, a non-fiction book by medieval literature specialist Eric Yager, the film recounts how the accusation led to the last legally sanctioned duel in France's history.
Presenting the film at the festival, director Ridley Scott addressed the audience: "The inspiration for it came from Matt and Ben, who called me up and said, 'You have done a duel before, but we have another duel we are about to write — it is something quite different. It was, and so I did it."
He added: "Jodie Comer and Adam Driver then joined with Matt and Ben, and [writer] Nicole Holofcener in what became an inspiring partnership. With my team — the people I always work with — we made a very challenging film, which illuminates an important issue. I hope you agree — I think it's one of my better movies."
Comer has had a very busy year so far, starring with Ryan Reynolds in their movie Free Guy, and opposite Stephen Graham in Channel 4's thought-provoking drama Help, which will air on Thursday, September 16th at 9pm. The actress will also be reprising her role as Villanelle in Killing Eve with Sandra Oh for season four of BBC's cat-and-mouse thriller.
You Might Also Like
