Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Premieres to Emotional 15-Minute Ovation at Venice Film Festival
Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Premieres to Emotional 15-Minute Ovation at Venice Film Festival
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s dramatic turn in Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ made a powerful impact at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival yesterday, eliciting a remarkable 15-minute standing ovation. The highly anticipated A24 film, which stars Johnson as legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, brought the Sala Grande audience to its feet, with emotional scenes unfolding both on and off screen.
The premiere was a deeply moving event for the cast and crew, including Johnson, co-star Emily Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and the real-life subject, Mark Kerr, who was present. All four were visibly teary-eyed amidst the thunderous applause and cheers of “DJ,” “Benny,” and “Emily.” Even surprise guest Seth Rogen was seen actively celebrating and documenting the moment.
‘The Smashing Machine’ follows Kerr’s tumultuous journey from the pinnacle of fame in the octagon to his personal struggles with painkiller addiction. The film marks a significant departure for Johnson, showcasing his range in a character-driven arthouse drama, and is Safdie’s first solo directorial project. The ensemble cast also features a mix of first-time actors and real-life fighters, including Ryan Bader and Oleksandr Usyk.
The film is slated for an A24 release on October 3, with the Venice Film Festival continuing until September 6.
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