November 9, 2007–Marco Mueller will be reappointed artistic director of the Venice Film Festival for four more years due to move by Italian culture minister Francesco Rutelli, which will give the Lido much-needed continuity.
Calling Muellers work excellent in a statement issued on Friday, Rutelli recommended renewing the Lido execs four-year mandate, which expires at the end of 2007.
He has replaced outgoing Biennale prexy Davide Croff with economist Paolo Baratta, who had previously served as prexy of the fests parent foundation. Baratta, 68, a former banker and government minister, headed the Biennale between 1998-2002.
Rutelli said the government intends to up its investment in the multi-arts organization, described as modern Italys main cultural institution, and the most prestigious internationally.
Baratta, who must formally re-appoint Mueller, still needs to be approved in parliament, but it's considered a mere formality. Once the red tape is cleared, Muellers reappointment will mark a rare case of a Venice topper who remains on board past the standard 4-year mandate. Five artistic directors have helmed the Lido over the past 15 years.
The 75-year-old Venice fests other structural problem, its out-of-date infrastructure, is also enroute to being solved with plans to start work early next year on plans to replace its Palazzo del Cinema.