• Lexus is the official car of the 81st Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia 
• A fleet of Lexus electrified cars is providing luxury transport for actors, directors and delegates to red carpet events at festival venues 
• Lexus’ eighth year of official support for the festival reflects the values of craftsmanship, innovation and the desire to deliver amazing experiences the brand shares with the world of film 
• A special installation on the Venice Lido is showcasing the exciting LF-ZC concept for a future electric performance sedan 

The 81^st Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia – just opened, with Lexus returning as the official car of the festival for an eighth consecutive year. The event, one of the world’s most celebrated and significant celebrations of cinematic art and achievement, provides Lexus with a perfect opportunity to present the style, comfort and driving rewards of its luxury models.

As in previous years, a fleet of Lexus electrified vehicles will provide transport for actors, directors, VIP guests and officials to and from red carpet events. The celebrities enjoying the Lexus experience include Sveva Alviti, this year’s festival “godmother”. The line-up of cars features the LBX Self-Charging Hybrid – which made a high-profile debut at last year’s festival – the NX Plug-In Hybrid, the RX Performance Hybrid and the all-electric RZ. Together they demonstrate Lexus design and innovation excellence, embracing different options for electrified driving.

Lexus joined the red carpet for last evening’s opening ceremony and the premiere screening of the new Tim Burton feature “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, starring Michael Keaton, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci and Sveva Alviti. The occasion also marked the first festival engagement for Italian actress Miriam Leone in her role as an official Lexus ambassador. Leone’s talent, charisma, and versatility make her an ideal match for the brand and highlights Lexus’ strong bond with the world of cinema.

“I am thrilled to take part in the 81st Venice Film Festival with Lexus, a brand that perfectly reflects my own dedication to excellence in every detail,” said Miriam Leone. “I have a strong affinity with brand and its passion for creating unique and unforgettable experiences, always putting people at the centre of everything. I can’t wait to explore the ways in which the ‘extraordinary’ will be presented in Venice, experiencing the magic of cinema and Lexus’ visionary quality.”

Just as film has its “auteurs”, Lexus pursues a similar desire to create new experiences through meticulous attention to detail, innovative solutions and exceptional craftsmanship – values that for years have linked the brand and the world of cinema. Both place people at the centre of what they do, using their vision and talents to convey authentic, unique and memorable emotions.

“We are honoured to once again be part of La Biennale,” said Paolo Moroni, Director of Lexus Italy. “Cinema is the ultimate representation of emotion, innovation and talent. It stirs the imagination and provokes passion. For us at Lexus this is an opportunity to do something disruptive. We are here with a range of electrified cars that are of the moment, but we are also giving a glimpse of the future, with new concepts and a vision for even more sustainable mobility, true to our desire to amaze, innovate and dream.”

The visionary aspect of Lexus is reflected in an installation – for the first time on the Venice Lido – dedicated to the LF-ZC (Lexus Future Zero Emission Catalyst). Against the evocative backdrop of the Venice Lagoon, this concept study provides a first taste of a future flagship for the brand, demonstrating Lexus’ wish to maximise the potential offered by electrification and giving shape to its ideas for a new era in mobility.
 

The 80^th Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia – reached its climax on Saturday with the traditional presentation of awards, including the coveted Golden Lion for best picture. While the festival celebrated leading cinematic achievement from around the world, Lexus was proud to have completed its duties as Official Car provider for a seventh consecutive year – a role that allowed it to present its own new “star,” the LBX.

This brand-new electrified “breakthrough crossover” shared the red carpet spotlight with some of the best-known names in world cinema. The famous faces included directors Yorgos Lanthimos – this year’s Golden Lion winner – Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola and Liliana Cavani, and actors Adam Driver, Caterina Murino – the “godmother” of this year’s festival – Bar Refaeli, Patrick Dempsey, Charlotte Rampling and Carla Bruni.

The LBX luxury compact SUV will open an important new market for the brand: designed for the European market, it presents a casually elegant style that will resonate with a younger customer base.  It was joined in Vencie by a  fleet of Lexus electrified models, including the RX  turbocharged hybrid, NX plug-in hybrid and all-electric RZ, was on hand to carry VIP guests to and from screenings and events on the Venice Lido. These vehicles were joined by the all-new LM, Lexus’ new “luxury mover” people carrier that will be joining the European range later this year.

Paolo Moroni, Director of Lexus Italy, said: “We were honoured to have attended the festival for a seventh year. To make this unique occasion even more memorable, were able to contribute our own star, the new LBX, a car that’s designed for a new audience that values luxury, design and sustainability.”

Lexus shared the red carpet spotlight with famous figures from contemporary European cinema this week at the opening night of the 80^th edition of the Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia.

As the Official Car of the festival for a seventh consecutive year, Lexus is providing a fleet of electrified models as luxury transport for film-makers, actors and VIP attendees to screenings and events, taking place on the Venice Lido until 9 September. The occasion is also providing a high-profile showcase for the all-new LBX, Lexus’ breakthrough new hybrid electric compact crossover that will be launched across Europe later this year.

The festival opened this week (30 August) with the world premiere of the film Comandante. Its director Edoardo De Angelis and leading actor Pierfrancesco Favino were brought to the red carpet by Lexus, together with actor Caterina Murino (Casino Royale) – the “godmother” of this year’s festival – and director Alice Diop (St Omer), the Luigi De Laurentiis Award Jury President.

Paolo Moroni, Director of Lexus Italy, said: “Every year we aim to show and tell something new and extraordinary in the wonderful setting of the festival. This year our undoubted ‘star’ is the new Lexus LBX. We are honoured to present this exceptional SUV that we believe will help make the red carpet even more special.”

On August 31, Lexus joined leading figures from the world of cinema, celebrities and VIPs for the opening ceremony of the 79^th Venice International Festival – La Biennale di Venezia. Marking its sixth consecutive year as the Official Car of the festival, the luxury brand brought its latest models to the red carpet event, led by the all-new RX hybrid electric SUV.

The evening saw stars including Julianne Moore, Regé-Jean Page, Rocio Morales, Catherine Deneuve and Tessa Thompson, accompanied to the gala by a fleet of Lexus Electrified vehicles, including the UX, NX, RX and ES.

Lexus’ continued support for the festival reflects the values that are shared between the worlds of cinema and motoring. Both have long been inspired by the desire to widen people’s horizons through travel, time and new experiences. Just as cinema provides a unique medium for creating unforgettable moments, so Lexus also seeks to deliver excitement through its innovative and pioneering spirit.

Likewise, the setting of Venice provides another inspirational link. This unique, magical city creates unforgettable memories, while giving prominence to the issue of sustainability.

“We are excited and proud to return to Venice and have the honour of demonstrating the values that distinguish our brand,” said Maurizio Perinetti, Director of Lexus Italy. “This is a prestigious, high-profile stage for hosting the all-new RX, one of our most iconic models. We hope that the festival and its audiences will recognise and appreciate the design, quality, technology and environmental focus that we have invested in the new RX and the creation of another Lexus Amazing Experience.”

The new RX will feature together with other models from the Lexus Electrified range, including the all-electric UX 300e crossover, in a fleet of 40 vehicles that will be used to chauffeur guests and officials to and from red carpet events, through to the festival’s conclusion on September 10. In keeping with the glamour of the event, the line-up will include the LC 500, Lexus’ multi-award-winning flagship convertible.

As the official automotive partner of the 78^th Venice International Film Festival, Lexus had the honour of accompanying on the red carpet many prestigious guests with its complete electrified range of SUVs – the NX, UX and RX models – together with the ES sedan and LC flagship coupe. These were joined by the UX 300e, Lexus’s first full-electric model, and the multi-award-winning LC Convertible.

Attending the closing ceremony of the 2021 festival, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Dakota Johnson, Kristen Stewart, Matt Damon, Tim Roth, Jane Campion, Silvio Orlando, Toni Servillo and Paolo Sorrentino were among the celebrities arriving at the Lido on-board Lexus vehicles.

This year, Lexus also supported the presentation of “Poltrone Rosse” by brand ambassador, actor, director and screenwriter Edoardo Leo together with UNITA, the National Union of Theatre and Audiovisual Interpreters. “Poltrone Rosse” is a crowdfunding initiative to support performers in a sector that has been particularly affected by the pandemic. In particular, it provides support to women who are absent from work through pregnancy. A row of red armchairs – like those found in cinemas – was installed in a Venice square on Sunday, September 5. Just like going to the movies, cinema-lovers had the opportunity to buy a ticket to sit in one of the red armchairs and listen to famous film people talk about their passion for the big screen, share anecdotes and reveal curiosities that illustrate the role and importance of cinema in their life and personal growth.

The heart of the brand’s presence at the Venice Festival will be the Lexus Lounge set up on the Biennale Terrace, where the two flagship models, the LC coupe and the LS sedan, will be displayed. Furthermore, an all-hybrid fleet of 40 vehicles will be provided for VIP and guests transfers during the festival.

The President of the Jury, the actress Annette Bening, will arrive at the festival on board of the brand new LS 500h hybrid.

“We are proud to take part in such a prestigious event, capturing the attention of the world during eleven days”, said Luigi Lucà, Director Lexus Italy. “We share many values with the movie world. Just like actors and directors, we want to improve and refine our art every day, mixing style, elegance and attention to detail to convey unique emotions and create amazing experiences.”