The 80th Venice Film Festival is All Shook Up (at last) as Bella Thorne, Sofia Coppola
After a week of underwhelming red carpet appearances there was an overwhelming sense of relief about Monday’s premiere, a testament to the King Of Rock N’ Roll – Mr. Elvis Aaron Presley.
Much like the main himself, the first official screening of Priscilla defied recent Venice Film Festival convention by attracting an improved guest list, with Bella Thorne, Sofia Coppola and Priscilla Presley among the early arrivals at the floating city’s historic Lido.
The film has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim agreement, according to Deadline, as it was filmed in Canada, allowing it’s stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, who play Elvis and Priscilla respectively, to attend the festival.
Their appearance followed a week of comparative inactivity at the annual event, widely vetoed by many of the Hollywood elite as they stand in solidarity with ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Leading the way, Bella, 25, ensured she caught the eye in a sweeping ivory gown with an off-the-shoulder detail as she greeted onlookers outside the venue.
In attendance: Bella Thorne (L) and Sofia Coppola (R) were among the early arrivals as the 80th Venice Film Festival welcomed the premiere of new Elvis biopic Priscilla
Night out: Priscilla Presley, 78, made her first red carpet appearance since the death of daughter Lisa-Marie in January
Midnight blue heels gave the look a an extra splash of colour, while a gold choker and an accompanying assortment of costume jewellery rounded things off.
Meanwhile Priscilla, 78 – making her first red carpet appearance since the death of daughter Lisa-Marie in January – caught the eye in a black satin co-ord with distinctive sheer sleeves.
She rounded off the look with conventional black heels, while an understated black handbag appeared to be her only notable accessory.
Joining the pair, Sofia, 52, who directed the new film, looked appropriately glamorous in a black silk evening gown with sheer shoulder panels.
The daughter of Academy Award winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola ensured her dress stood out by opting for limited accessories ahead of Monday’s screening.
But all eyes were on American actress Cailee who plays the title role in the much anticipated biopic.
The 25-year-old dazzled in a white gown that boasted a plunging neckline and beaded pearl embellishment.
Meanwhile Jacob who plays the king of rock and roll, rocked a double breasted suit and stylish facial hair.
Lovely: Leading the way, Bella ensured she caught the eye in a sweeping ivory gown with an off-the-shoulder detail as she greeted onlookers outside the Venice Lido
Don’t mind me: But Bella was hard to miss as she posed for photos at the 80th Venice Film Festival on Monday evening
Beauty: She stunned in a sweeping ivory gown with an off-the-shoulder detail as she greeted onlookers outside the venue
Hourglass: The frock was tailored to perfection and fitted like a glove
In good company: The actress was joined on the red carpet by her fiancé Mark Emms
Tasteful: A gold choker and an accompanying assortment of costume jewellery rounded off her ensemble
Hollywood: She oozed 1950s glamorous just the movie with a pair of retro shades
Here we go: Bella’s dress also included a billowing train that fluttered behind her on the red carpet
Beaming: Bella was delighted to walk the star-studded red carpet
Rocks: Bella showcased a selection of impressive diamond rings on her delicate fingers
Lovebirds: The couple could not keep their hands off each other
Chic: She caught the eye in a black satin co-ord with distinctive sheer sleeves
Glam: She toted her essentials in a black shoulder bag and opted for gold jewellery
Stunning: She accentuated her featured with make-up including a metallic eye shadow
Perfection: Sofia Coppola, 52, who directed the new film, looked appropriately glamorous in a black silk evening gown with sheer shoulder panels
Big night: But all eyes were on American actress Cailee Spaeny (L) who plays the title role in the much anticipated biopic (pictured with Priscilla, C, and director Sofia Coppola, R)
Style: The trio oozed sophistication in their very stylish ensembles
Cast: The film has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim agreement as it was filmed in Canada, allowing it’s stars Cailee Spaeny (L) and Jacob Elordi (R) to attend the festival
Tall! The Euphoria actor towered over his co-star as they posed together for the photographers
Movie: The highly-anticipated biopic tells the story of a teenage Priscilla and her romance with the late King of Rock N Roll Elvis Presley (Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla in the film)
Earlier that day the real life Priscilla insisted that she ‘never had sex’ with her late ex-husband Elvis Presley when she was 14 as she attended the photocall and press conference for the new film.
The highly-anticipated biopic tells the story of a teenage Priscilla and her romance with the late King of Rock N Roll Elvis Presley. played here by Jacob.
It is directed by Sofia Coppola, based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir Elvis And Me, and will premiere on Monday evening on the Lido.
Speaking from the audience at the press conference panel for the film, Priscilla held back tears as she opened up about her late husband and gushed about the movie.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, she admitted: ‘It’s very difficult to watch a film about you and about your life and about your love.
‘But Sofia did an amazing job. She did her homework. And I really put everything out for her that I could.’
Priscilla spoke about the fact that she met Elvis when she was just 14 years old, confessing it was ‘very difficult for my parents to understand that Elvis would be so interested in me and why.’
However, she defended the Jailhouse Rock singer, denying that the couple had sex and insisting she was ‘older in life than in years’.
Etherial: Cailee, 25, dazzled in a white gown that boasted a plunging neckline and beaded pearl embellishment
Sparkle: She added even extra bling with a selection of silver jewellery
Sensational: The actress oozed confidence as she strutted her stuff along the red carpet
The King: Jacob Elordi, who plays Elvis, rocked a tailored double-breasted suit
Style: He also sported trendy facial hair as well as a butterfly broach
Beaming: The duo giggled as they walked together to take their seats and enjoy the screening
Say cheese: (L-R) Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi and Sofia Coppola
She said: ‘Elvis would pour his heart out to me. His hopes, his fears, his loss of his mother. And I was the person who really sat there to listen and to comfort him. That was really our connection.
‘Even though I was 14, I was older in life than in years. And that was the attraction. People think “oh, it was sex, it was this.” Not at all. I never had sex with him.
‘He was very kind, very soft, very loving. But he also respected the fact I was only 14 years old. We were more in mind and thought and that was our relationship.’
Priscilla has previously claimed that Elvis insisted on waiting until they were married to have sex and said in Elvis And Me that she was a virgin until their wedding night.
The business woman looked the picture of sophistication in a pair of black trousers embroidered with sequins.
She teamed the sparkly bottoms with a white silk shirt that was adorned with tiny diamonds.
Pose: The glamorous cast and crew posed together on the red carpet
Say cheese: (L-R) Sofia Coppola, Priscilla Presley, Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi
Suited and booted: Everyone was dressed to impress ahead of the screening
OTT: Farhana Bodi commanded attention in a dramatic tulle gown with flowing train
Stylish: Caterina Murino also walked the red carpet
Flower power: Hofit Golan turned heads in figure-hugging dress and long floral cape
Priscilla boosted her height with a pair of chunky black shoes and toted a floral handbag decorated with intricate beading.
Her fiery red tresses were styled down and straight and she hid her eyes behind a pair of black oversized sunglasses.
Priscilla posed alongside Sofia and the movie’s stars Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny, who were allowed to walk the red carpet despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Sofia looked effortlessly stylish in a black button-up shirt and a matching pair of trousers secured with a coordinating belt.
Jacob cut a suave figure in a grey blazer and a pair of matching flared trousers over a plain black shirt left partially unbuttoned.
He added a pair of shiny black dress shoes and sported facial hair while shielding his eyes behind orange tinted sunglasses.
Cailee glowed in a white off-the-shoulder dress with flouncy sleeves and decorated with a green leaf pattern.
She added a pink rose on the front of her dress and toted a bright green clutch, while elevating her height in pale pink high heels.
Emotional: It comes after Priscilla insisted that she ‘never had sex’ with her late ex-husband Elvis when she was aged 14 on Monday as she attended the photocall and press conference for the film (pictured)
Story: Priscilla and Elvis pictured at their wedding in 1967
Claims: Priscilla has previously claimed that Elvis insisted on waiting until they were married to have sex and said in Elvis And Me that she was a virgin until their wedding night
Venice was filled with stars on Monday, with appearances by Maggie Gyllenhaal and Sadie Sink as well.
Maggie looked in high spirits in a crisp whit shirt and a pair of black trouser with matching ballet flats.
She added a white MiuMiu handbag with a gem encrusted strap and a pair of sophisticated black sunglasses.
Stranger Things star Sadie cut a laidback figure in a pair of oversized blue jeans and graphic white T-shirt.
She attempted to keep a low cover as she bundled up in a black blazer and hid behind a pair of shades.
She carried a white tote bag over one shoulder and added black loafers while her red locks were in loose waves.
Cast: Priscilla posed alongside Sofia and the movie’s stars Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny, who were allowed to walk the red carpet despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike
Permission: The film has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim agreement, according to Deadline , as it was filmed in Canada
Fashionista: Sofia looked effortlessly stylish in a black button-up shirt and a matching pair of trousers secured with a coordinating belt
Handsome: Jacob cut a suave figure in a grey blazer and a pair of matching flared trousers over a plain black shirt left partially unbuttoned
Radiant: Cailee glowed in a white off-the-shoulder dress with flouncy sleeves and decorated with a green leaf pattern (R-L Youree Henley, Jacob Elordi, Sofia Coppola, Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla Presley, Lorenzo Mieli)
Looking good: She added a pink rose on the front of her dress and toted a bright green clutch, while elevating her height in pale pink high heels
Ever Anderson looked thrilled as she beamed while she was whisked across the canals in a water taxi.
The daughter of actress Milla Jovovich and director Paul W. S. Anderson, 15, looked stylish in a pair of blue jeans.
She added a simple black and white checked T-shirt and toted a beige MiuMiu handbag.
Ever kept things casual by opting for a pair of comfortable black trainers and added a pair of black sunglasses.
Michelle Rodriguez also made a smooth arrival on a water taxi after being given a helping hand into the boat.
She looked fashion forward in a cream tank top underneath a white open shirt and matching trousers.
The actress added a gold pendant necklace and swept her raven tresses up in a messy ponytail.
Ava DuVernay looked radiant in a black fitted midi dress, with a pair of matching high-heels and a contrasting white handbag.