Venice Showcases McDonagh's CIA Comedy and Herzog's Twin Mystery

The Venice Film Festival is in full swing on the Lido, with two major world premieres drawing attention on Thursday evening. Martin McDonagh's dark CIA comedy "Wild Horse Nine" and Werner Herzog's enigmatic "Bucking Fastard" both made their debuts, adding significant star power to the 83rd edition of the event.

"Wild Horse Nine," written and directed by McDonagh, is among the most anticipated titles at this year's festival. The film stars Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich as CIA agents sent to Easter Island in the period just before the 1973 Chilean coup. A theatrical release is planned for later this fall, and the project carries considerable awards-season buzz given McDonagh's history with the festival.

His previous two films, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" and "The Banshees of Inisherin," both premiered in Venice and went on to earn multiple Oscar nominations, including for best picture. "Three Billboards" secured two wins, with Rockwell and Frances McDormand taking home acting honors.

Herzog's "Bucking Fastard" remains more of an unknown quantity. The film features Rooney Mara and Kate Mara as twin sisters whose intense physical and mental codependency becomes a subject of public curiosity. According to the official synopsis, the sisters "speak in unison, love the same man, and have the same dreams."

Both films are in contention for the Golden Lion, competing against a field that includes Danny Boyle's Rupert Murdoch biopic "Ink" and the Gaza-focused documentary "NAZA." The jury, led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, is set to announce the winners during a ceremony on September 12.