Monica Bellucci blows a kiss on day one of the Venice Film Festival ahead of Beetlejuice premiere and reveals partner Tim Burton has been wooing her with Italian horror movies

Monica Bellucci has revealed her boyfriend, the director Tim Burton, has been wooing her by introducing her to classic Italian horror movies.

The actress, 59, has been dating Tim, 65, since October 2023, and sources say they split their time between London and Paris where both have children from previous relationships.

Monica is one of the stars of Burton’s Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, which is the opening film of the Venice Film Festival and will premiere on Wednesday night.

The actress wasn’t in the original film, Beetlejuice, made 35 years ago, but Tim has a habit of casting his lovers in his films – like Helena Bonham Carter – and she plays Delores, the ex wife of Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice in this film. 

The character is like a 'stitched up doll,' she says.

Speaking ahead of the premiere, Monica said: 'I’m so honoured to be part of this film and to come into Tim’s world. 

'Tim is an artist and he knows how to make situations that are fantastic and horrific and comic and emotional all at the same time.

'He helped me so much to create this monster, more than a monster, she is a creature. She is mean but also charming. 

'She is a metaphor of life. Tim told me about the character and said he thought of me, and he showed me what he thought.

'Tim loves Italy and he loves Italian films and he has showed me so many many films. I have discovered Mario Bava (director of the 1957 horror classic I Vampiri) thanks to him.'

Tim revealed he had considered retiring from film-making after the disappointing reception of his live-action big budget Dumbo film for Disney.

But he was reinvigorated after making Wednesday, the Addams family spin-off, for Netflix last year. 

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega has joined the Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice film as Astrid, the daughter of Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder.

The director said: 'The past few years I got a bit disillusioned with the film industry you might say. I just realised if I want to do anything else again I will do it from my heart, it has to be something that I want to do.

'Winona and Michael and I would talk every few years, talk about doing Beetlejuice but I did get re-energised with Wednesday. Walking the Carpathian mountains in Romania does something to a person.'

He added that he had not watched the original film before starting to film the sequel, but had hoped to stay true to its spirit. 

Jenna Ortega said that she had joined a 'team of giants' on the film and added: 'For me it was about making sure that I wasn’t ripping off Winona’s work back in the day, and making something new.' 

Winona said: 'I was so thrilled to be with everyone again. It was such a special experience. My love and trust for Tim runs so deep. There is a sense of playfulness where you try things and you know that if it’s bad, he won’t use it.'

Monica looked chic as she joined her partner Tim and Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux on day one of Venice Film Festival on Wednesday ahead of premiere.

Ahead of the glitzy premiere Monica, Tim and the rest of the cast were out and about. 

Monica looked stunning in a navy and white polka dot dress which she wore with velvet heels and dark shades.

She posed with suave Justin, 53, and their other co-star Willem Dafoe, 69, who both wore dark blue suits. 

Tim and Monica have been to first met 16 years ago but are said to have started dating after seeing one another at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon in October 2022. 

Monica confirmed their relationship in June of the following year as she told Elle France: 'What I can say... I'm glad I met the man, first of all.'

'It's one of those encounters that rarely happens in life... I know the man, I love him, and now I'm going to meet the director, another adventure begins.'

She added: 'I love Tim. And I have great respect for Tim Burton.' 

A synopsis of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice reads: 'Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy.

'Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife.'

Elsewhere Isabelle Huppert rocked a stylish double denim look as she joined Patti Smith arriving for the festival. 

The French actress, 71, is serving as Jury President at the 81st festival and showed off her casually chic sense of style.

She teamed a denim jacket with matching jeans and a white T-shirt as things kicked off in Italy.

Meanwhile American singer Patti, 77, wore a bright yellow shirt and jeans as she waved to some of her fans.

Prior to her arrival Isabelle shared what she thinks film festivals represent for cinema and its future, as well as her thoughts on the threats the art form faces.

'Festivals are more and more important,' Huppert said to The New York Times. 

'We all know that with the development of new ways of watching movies such as streaming platforms — which do have their virtues — movie theatres are somewhat threatened. 

So festivals are crucial ecosystems for the visibility of movies and for the film industry as a whole. To me, they're instrumental.'

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will open the festival on August 28.

Sigourney Weaver meanwhile will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the festival.

Sigourney said ahead of receiving the prize: 'I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia.'

'To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years. I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.' 

The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and will be held on the Lido di Venezia from 28 August to 7 September 2024. 

As well as Sigourney and the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice cast there is an array of A-listers expected to descend in Venice over the coming days.

George Clooney is already in town, alongside his wife Amal, for the debut of his anticipated new movie Wolfs - the Jon Watts-directed heist thriller that reunites him with Oceans 11 co-star Brad Pitt.

Both George and Brad will be attendance at the September 1 screening. 

Brad's ex wife Angelina Jolie is also due in Venice to promote the film Maria, in which she plays opera legend Maria Callas.

Sources indicate that the schedules have been arranged so that the warring couple - who continue to be embroiled in legal action eight years after they split - will not be at the film festival at the same time. 

Another major screening is Joker: Folie à Deux on September 4. The premiere of the sequel will welcome stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga to the Venice red carpet. 

Daniel Craig will also be at the festival to promote his movie Queer, which screens on September 3. 

Venice regulars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton are in town for Pedro Almodóvar's English-language debut The Room Next Door while Nicole Kidman is screening her erotic thriller Babygirl on August 30.

Pupi Avati's The American Backyard will close the festival on September 7.