Franco, Chastain and Sarsgaard embraced as the audience cheered them on, with each taking their turn in the spotlight to accept the applause.

After the crowd clapped for several minutes, Chastain was visibly emotional, dabbing at her eyes as she smiled with pride. Sarsgaard, too, got teary-eyed, and his wife Maggie Gyllenhaal was there to capture it all, taking a video of the ovation.

As she walked into the theater prior to the screening, Chastain signed autographs and took selfies with fans extensively, making sure the desires of nearly everyone in sight were met.

Directed and written by Michel Franco, the film also stars Peter Sarsgaard and Elsie Fisher.

Memory centers on Sylvia (Chastain), a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter profoundly impacts both of them as they open the door to the past.

Since Memory obtained interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA Chastain and Sarsgaard were present on the red carpet and the premiere.

At the film’s earlier presser, Chastain admitted to being “nervous” to attend the festival amid the strike.

“There were actually some people on my team who advised me against it,” Chastain said. “Actors are often made to keep quiet in order to protect future working opportunities, and we are often told and reminded how grateful we should be. And that is the environment that I think has allowed work to be abused, to go unchecked for many decades. And is also the environment that has saddled members of our union with unfair contracts.”

“I am here because SAG-AFTRA has been explicitly clear that the way to support the strike is to post on social media, walk the picket line and to work and support interim agreement projects,” she added. “It’s what our national board, negotiating committee and our elected leadership has asked us to do.”

Chastain earned rave reviews out of the festival for her riveting and unforgettable performance in Memory, one that emphasizes the complex and vulnerable aspects of the character she plays.

Jessica Chastain–Best Actress in the World

Mexican director Franco’s last two films, New Order (2020) and Sundown (2021), had also premiered at Venice.

New Order, an arthouse thriller, was awarded the festival’s grand jury prize.

Chastain, who won the best actress Oscar last year for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, last had a film premiere at Venice in 2011 with “Texas Killing Fields.”

Memory is currently seeing U.S. distribution.