CHICAGO — The new Steve James documentary “A Compassionate Spy,” about the Manhattan Project physicist, Soviet spy and University of Chicago alum Theodore Hall, has been selected for the documentary slate of the 79th Venice Film Festival.
The world premiere screening is Sept. 2.
It’s James’ first-ever appearance at one of the most prestigious and influential international festivals. Though the filmmaker could not confirm the near-future for his latest project, many world premieres start at Venice and then go straight to a U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado a few days later.