The Venice International Film Festival begins this week, although it’s happening in a somewhat different form. There will still be premieres and events, but the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes rage on, which means that most SAG-card-carrying union members are not going to show up to promote jacksh-t. Still, many non-American actors will show up and promote their work, although I do wonder how many. A few films have already canceled their premieres and promotions because no one will show up.

So, against that backdrop, I was surprised to see George and Amal Clooney arrive in Venice. It’s been almost nine years exactly since their Venetian wedding, and they usually spend their summers at George’s Lake Como estate, so it’s not weird to see them out and about in Italy in general. But they are in Venice for the film festival, just not to promote a film. According to People, Amal is being honored at Diane von Furstenberg’s 14th Annual DVF Awards on Thursday. DVF is hosting the awards AT the film festival for the first time. So, that’s why they’re there. Amal will receive the DVF leadership award “for her global work for victims of human rights abuse.”

Will they also attend premieres at the festival? Would that be considered scabbing for George? It depends on whether SAG-AFTRA issued any waivers specific to the festival or certain films, I think. Hm.

Amal’s ensemble is cute – I appreciate that she wears low heels and she’s not towering over her husband. She loves a short skirt, always has. Amal and I have similar taste in sunglasses too – the bigger, the better. George looks really nice as well. Well-rested. Ah, to spend the summer in Como every year.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.