Alberto Barbera has often found himself witnessing film history. During his two tenures as artistic director of the Venice film festival, he has rubbed shoulders with A-listers and witnessed their career triumphs – as well as a few major disappointments.
“I remember the world premiere of A Star Is Born [in 2018], when Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga were on the red carpet in the rain,” he says from his office on the Lido, the small island in the Venetian lagoon that has been the festival’s home since 1932.
