Werner Herzog's 'Bucking Fastard' Premieres in Venice With a Six-Minute Ovation — and a Lynch Dedication

Werner Herzog's new film Bucking Fastard earned a 6.5-minute standing ovation at its world premiere on the Lido, capping a Thursday night that began with cheers for the director as he entered the theatre and ended with him wiping his eyes as the credits rolled (Variety). The film had its premiere at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2026 (Reuters). It is competing for the Golden Lion, the festival's top prize.

The film stars real-life sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara in their first on-screen appearance together. They play Jean and Joan Holbrooke, twins who speak in unison, dress alike and fall for the same man, played by Orlando Bloom. The sisters search for an imaginary land where true love is possible — and at one point begin digging a tunnel through a mountain range (Variety). Domhnall Gleeson also stars.

Herzog said he had wanted to make the film for years, but it only became possible once he met the Mara sisters (Variety). A Variety review describes the two actors as giving "a single, intricately virtuosic performance" in perfect concert (Variety). The Hollywood Reporter was cooler, calling the film "nutty but thin" (The Hollywood Reporter).

The road to Venice was not straightforward. Cannes initially invited the film, but Herzog declined because it was not offered a competition slot — the section where films are eligible for the festival's top award. Venice then selected it for its own competition lineup (Variety). Herzog had reportedly hoped the Mara sisters' performances would be awards-eligible at Cannes (Variety).

The premiere also marked Herzog's return to Venice one year after the festival gave him its Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, presented by Francis Ford Coppola. Herzog has a long history on the Lido, having previously brought Scream of Stone, The Wild Blue Yonder, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? to the festival (Variety).

After the credits, Rooney and Kate Mara shared an embrace while Herzog wiped his eyes with a tissue (Variety). Herzog dedicated the film to David Lynch, who died in January 2025 (The Hollywood Reporter).

Earlier in the day, the cast — Kate Mara, Rooney Mara, Bloom and Gleeson — gathered for a photocall on the Lido (Reuters). Bloom is also being honoured during this year's festival (Variety).

For Herzog, the festival circuit is only part of a busy autumn. He is also to be honoured at the San Sebastián Film Festival later this season (Variety).

One behind-the-scenes detail caught attention at the premiere: Herzog said Orlando Bloom was upset on set after his scene was captured in a single take (Deadline). The comment fits a director famous for his preference for the unrepeatable moment — the kind of instinct that has shaped a career now in its seventh decade.