Actress Tarina Patel walks the red carpet at Venice Film Festival

05 September 2023 - 16:00 By JEN SU
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Tarina Patel walks the red carpet for the movie 'Priscilla' at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on Monday in Venice, Italy.
Tarina Patel walks the red carpet for the movie 'Priscilla' at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on Monday in Venice, Italy.
Image: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Cape Town-born actress and producer Tarina Patel attended last night’s (Monday) world premiere of Sofia Coppola’s drama Priscilla, at the 80th Venice Film Festival in Italy.

The biopic, based on the life of Priscilla Presley, received a seven-and-a-half minute standing ovation at the prestigious Lido Theatre. An interim agreement, arranged just before the festival, allowed for the film’s stars Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny to attend the premiere alongside Priscilla Presley and director Sofia Coppola despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike in the US.

“While I stand in support of the strike that takes place in Hollywood right now, the reality is that life carries on, and that showbiz continues in all its glitz and glam,” said Patel to TshisaLIVE.

“There was so much apprehension about what this year’s film festival would be like due to the strike, but now that I’m here, I can’t even begin to tell you just how epic the calibre of people [is] that have flown in from around the world.”

Patel went to Venice as an invited speaker for the Better World Fund Conference, a non-profit organisation promoting women’s empowerment through cinematic art and a gala evening on September 8.

“I’m honoured to be part of a panel of distinguished global filmmakers and industry executives — in addition to speaking in the presence of some of my favourite iconic actors such as Isabelle Huppert, Jeremy Piven and Rossy de Palma.”

The stunning actress and model wore a hand-stitched blush couture gown by Italian designer Eleonora Lastrucci, paired with Cornier 1757 jewellery.

“I’m really excited about my 'glam squad',” she explained. “The agency sets up an entire apartment, with hair stylists, over 1,000 makeup artists, and a personal spa providing facials by Biologique Recherche. They also provide a gorgeous selection of couture gowns for us to showcase at every premiere.”

After Venice, Patel plans to fly to London for a few days — and then back to South Africa, where she will be starring in a new Netflix show which films in Durban.



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