The Ageless Allure At the Venice Film Festival 2024
The Venice Film Festival has always been a stage where beauty, glamour, and sophistication take centre stage. But have you noticed that this year, the festival’s red carpet shone even brighter? That’s because of the radiance of midlife women who defied ageist assumptions and redefined what it means to be beautiful in the spotlight, united by undeniable talent.
Their presence was not just about looking fabulous—though they certainly did—but about embodying a deeper beauty that comes from wisdom, experience, and the confidence that only time can bestow. As the world watched the stars arrive at the Venice Film Festival, it was impossible not to notice their magnetic presence. These women, with their stunning gowns, graceful poise, and self-assured smiles, made it clear that beauty doesn’t diminish with age—it evolves.
One of the standout moments was when Philippine Leroy Balieu (61), the ever-chic French actress known for her role in ‘Emily in Paris’, graced the red carpet for the ‘Queer’ premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
She wore a beautiful Erdem Fall 2024 floral embroidered dress with a sweetheart neckline, a look that was undeniably pretty and polished. that celebrated her curves and highlighted her confidence. Her choice to wear bold, vibrant colours and modern silhouettes sent a powerful message: midlife is not a time to fade into the background, but a time to shine.
Similarly, Monica Bellucci (59), dazzled in an elegant yet daring suit, with minimal makeup, allowing her natural beauty and radiant skin to take centre stage, proving that embracing one’s age is the ultimate form of sophistication. At the Venice Film Festival, the actress turned heads in a crisp white blazer and trouser combo, paired effortlessly with a black blouse – a masterclass in minimalist chic.
“There are so many women who are feeling free to get old in a different way,” she said in an interview. “I am not obsessed with diets. I’ve always been a curvy woman, never so skinny, that’s my nature. And I want to get old in a peaceful way.”
And how about Cate Blanchett (55)? She knows how to master the art of age playfully. She walked the red carpet in an elegant giant polka dot suit by Moschino. Nude makeup, short nails and small jewellery complemented her look. Tilda Swinton (63), on the other hand, teamed her simple ivory Alaia midi dress with bright blue ankle strap heels, while Julianne Moore (63) opted for a modern and opulent gold sequined gown for the premiere of ‘The Room Next Door’ on Monday evening.
Angelina Jolie (49), presenting the new film “Maria“, where the actress plays the main role of the opera diva Maria Callas, was instead wearing a slinky sand-coloured dress by Tamara Ralph, which was complemented by a faux fur bolero. At the same time, the actress’s arms and shoulders were bare.
What an ageless allure show!
However, the beauty of the midlife women in Venice wasn’t just skin deep. It was also in their presence, in the way they carried themselves, and in the stories they shared. These women have lived, loved, and learned, and that depth of experience added a richness to their allure that no amount of makeup or designer clothing could replicate.
For instance, Sigourney Weaver (74), the renowned American actor and three-time Academy Award nominee (known for roles in Alien, Gorillas in the Mist, and Galaxy Quest), who received this year’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, reflected on the challenges of ageing in the industry during the main press conference.
“Suddenly, I think they had decided somehow that older women could actually play interesting characters and started writing a lot of older women characters,” she said. “Suddenly, we stopped being a joke and a mother-in-law, and we started to be real people because actually a lot of our audience are real people.”
When asked about her tendency to take on tough female characters, Weaver said it’s not a conscious choice but an inherent trait of women. “I’m always asked why I play strong women and I always think that’s such a weird question because I just play women, and women are strong and women don’t give up,” she said. “You know why? We can’t. We have to do it.”
Her words resonated with many, especially those who have felt pressured by society’s ageism. At Venice, these midlife women demonstrated that true beauty is about embracing oneself fully, including the lines, the grey hairs, and the life experiences that have shaped them.
Let’s hope there will be more and more strong female characters featured in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, to bring authenticity and depth to the screen reflecting the lives of millions of women around the world who are navigating the complexities of ageing with resilience and grace.
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