Lady Gaga’s ‘A Star Is Born’ Gets Eight-Minute Ovation in Venice Following World Premiere Glitch
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – The world premiere of “A Star Is Born” received a warm eight-minute ovation at the Venice Film Festival after the musical drama’s gala screening was marred by a roughly 15-minute interruption due to a technical glitch caused by lightning.
After loud cheers and clapping following the end credits, Lady Gaga smiled and looked relieved and director Bradley Cooper said “thank you for staying!” as the Warner Bros. delegation left the Palazzo del Cinema auditorium.
The screening went black about an hour into the movie, just after a burst of clapping greeted the first duet between Cooper and . When the light was turned back on there was clapping at first, then increasing tension filled the room as a voice said in Italian that the screening would resume as soon as possible. Then Lady Gaga, after sitting very still, began blowing kisses to the audience, which cheered. ‘You are amazing!” said one spectator, which stoked the clamor.
The 75th Venice International Film FestivalSources close to the producers said the glitch was caused by lightning during a heavy rainstorm on the Lido which blew out the projector’s light bulb.
Though the interruption broke the film’s emotive flow, it also created an intimacy of sorts and will certainly go down in the Venice Film Festival’s annals.
Lady Gaga during unexpected break in Star is Born premiere. Screen went black more than 10 minutes ago…. pic.twitter.com/rllPry91vU
— Nick Vivarelli (@NickVivarelli) August 31, 2018
Earlier, Gaga in a fluffy pink Valentino gown, and Cooper, sent fans and paparazzi into a frenzy under a light drizzle as the aria “La Donna E’ Mobile” from Verdi’s Rigoletto played loudly. Cate Blanchett, Donatella Versace and Spike Lee were also spotted.
Early reviews of Cooper’s directing debut have ranged from warm to rapturous. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman called it “A transcendent Hollywood movie.”
Jessica Kiang, writing for the Playlist, said, “It’s going to be a phenomenon, and it’s my happy duty to report that it’s also very good.”
The film co-stars Cooper, Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay and Dave Chappelle.
