WHAT A SHOW: LEXUS IS THE OFFICIAL CAR OF THE 78TH VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

• Lexus is the Official Car of the Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia 2021
• Spotlight on the all-new NX mid-size luxury SUV, which will make its Italian national debut at the festival
• The NX and other Lexus premium hybrid electric models to appear with celebrities at red-carpet events
• Actor and Lexus Brand Ambassador Edoardo Leo will relate his experiences that demonstrate the values shared between Lexus and cinema
• Biennale Cinema 2021 also to highlight the crowdfunding initiatives of Poltrone Rosse and the theatre-workers union UNITA to support performers during the restart period

Lexus is the Official Car of the Venice Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia – for a fifth consecutive year. The 78^th edition of the festival will take place at the Venice Lido from 1-11 September, with Korean director Bong Joon-ho as president of the international competition jury and actress, singer and television presenter Serena Rossi as the “Godmother” host.

Lexus continues to strengthen its bonds with the magical world of cinema, sharing the desire to give people amazing and unforgettable experiences with special and distinctive products made with attention to detail, craftsmanship, innovation and a sense of vision.

The coolest red carpet in international cinema will also be the setting for the national Italian preview of the all-new NX mid-size luxury SUV. This model expands Lexus vision of electrification and marks a further evolution of the brand in technology, performance, quality and detailing that follow its human-centred philosophy.

The new NX opens a new chapter in Lexus design, for example with the distinctive Tazuna cockpit, which gives the driver intuitive control and connection with vehicle, like a rider using the reins to control their horse. It also marks a new direction in powertrain development, including Lexus’ first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which sets a new benchmark in its segment for combination of power, efficiency and pure electric driving capability.

Lexus will feature its brand ambassador, actor, director and screenwriter Edoardo Leo, at the festival. He will talk about the values that bind Lexus to the world of cinema through his own personal and professional experiences, and illustrate the collaborative work Lexus has engaged in to support the entertainment sector.

“We are excited and proud to come back to Venice and are even more aware of the important news that we will share at this edition of the Biennale Cinema 2021,” said Maurizio Perinetti, Director of Lexus Italy. “Venice is the ideal stage on which to give a preview of our latest masterpiece, the Lexus NX. This model marks a new era for the design and manufacture of future electrified vehicles, an approach that always centres on the person. We can also count on the talent of Edoardo Leo to emphasise perfectly the bond that unites Lexus with the world of entertainment and the values we promote. We agree wholeheartedly with Leo – putting the person and their needs at the heart of what we do, and always wanting to arouse new emotions and ignite passions.”

It is from these common values and a deep love of cinema that Poltrone Rosse was born, a crowdfunding initiative promoted by Lexus and UNITA, the National Union of Theatre and Audiovisual Interpreters, 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. This work is being highlighted in a travelling event that will see a row of red armchairs – like those found in cinemas – installed in the squares of five Italian cities. Actors, famous film people and ordinary cinema-lovers can sit down and 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. Just like going to the movies, people will need to buy a ticket to sit in one of the red armchairs; the proceeds will be donated to the Poltrone Rosse project, together with UNITA. The event will be taking place in Venice during this year’s film festival.

As the Official Car throughout the festival, Lexus will have the privilege of accompanying actors, directors and famous faces from the world of cinema on the red carpet. A fleet of 35 cars will be providing VIP transport, representing the complete Lexus electrified range of SUVs – the NX, UX and RX models – together with the ES sedan and LC flagship coupe. These will be joined by the UX 300e, Lexus’s first full-electric model, and the multi-award-winning LC Convertible.

Official Hashtags: #ExperienceAmazing, #LexusCinema, #LexusVenezia78

Learn more about the new NX in https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/all-new-nx/