Taking Venice

Opens Friday, May 17, 2024

Special Events

  • Fri May 17 : 

    Q&A with dir. Amei Wallach at 7:15

    Buy Tickets
  • Sat May 18 : 

    Q&A with dir. Amei Wallach at 7:15

    Buy Tickets

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18 at 7:15: Q&As with director Amei Wallach after the screenings.

At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. government is determined to fight Communism with culture. The Venice Biennale, the world’s most influential art exhibition, becomes a proving ground in 1964. Alice Denney, Washington insider and friend of the Kennedys, recommends Alan Solomon, an ambitious curator making waves with trailblazing art, to organize the U.S. entry. Together with Leo Castelli, a powerful New York art dealer, they embark on a daring plan to make Robert Rauschenberg the winner of the Grand Prize. The artist is yet to be taken seriously with his combinations of junk off the street and images from pop culture, but he has the potential to dazzle. Deftly pulling off maneuvers that could have come from a Hollywood thriller, the American team leaves the international press crying foul and Rauschenberg questioning the politics of nationalism that sent him there.

Official Selection: DOC NYC


  • Country USA, France, Italy
  • Language English
  • Running Time 98 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Distributor Kino Lorber
  • Director Amei Wallach
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.