Movie titan: The beastly creation

Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed Mexican director, has once again made headlines at the Venice Film Festival. Known as one of the "Three Amigos of Mexican cinema" alongside Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón, del Toro has been a force to be reckoned with in the film industry.

Del Toro's journey at the festival began with the premiere of his stop-motion animated film, "Pinocchio" (2022), which won the prestigious "Oscar" for "Best Animated Film". This victory marks a significant milestone in del Toro's career, as he becomes the first director to win Oscars for "Best Director", "Best Picture", and "Best Animated Film" for different films.

However, del Toro's success at the Venice Film Festival is not a recent phenomenon. In 2001, he was set to head the jury for the debut competition, a role that was eventually left vacant due to unidentified circumstances. Fast forward to 2021, and del Toro returned to Venice with his film "Frankenstein".

The journey to Venice for del Toro's "Frankenstein" was not without its challenges. The film producer or director originally planned as the jury president for the debut competition in 2001 did not attend the festival's opening, and the choice of a worthy candidate for the award proved to be an almost unsolvable task, leading to tension among the jury members.

Del Toro's career in filmmaking started in the early 1980s when he founded his own special effects company, "Necropia". He worked as a makeup artist before making his debut with "Cronos" in 1992, a film about an alchemist who invents a magical device that grants immortality by feeding on fresh human blood.

Del Toro's breakthrough came with the release of "The Shape of Water" in 2017. The film won several prestigious awards, including the "Golden Lion" at the Venice Film Festival and the "Best Picture" and "Best Director" Oscars.

Throughout his career, del Toro has shown a unique ability to blend fantasy and reality, a trait that is evident in his films such as "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006), which won three technical Oscars and is included in numerous lists of the best fantasy films. The film, considered one of the best films about franquism, was already made by the time of the mentioned event.

Del Toro's perseverance and dedication to his craft are evident in his fight to secure Ron Perlman for the lead role in his film "Hellboy" (2004), a battle he fought for seven years. His passion for filmmaking also extends to his personal life, as he has a vast collection of comic books that required another house to accommodate.

Del Toro's friendship with Japanese video game developer Hideo Kojima is another testament to his extensive knowledge and practical experience in video games. His work in the film industry has also led him to collaborate with Hollywood heavyweights such as Paula Wagner, a Hollywood business shark and Tom Cruise's right hand and producer, who was initially supposed to head the jury but did not show up due to a scandal involving Cruise's Scientology interests.

As the Venice Film Festival continues, del Toro's "Frankenstein" is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films. The journey of Guillermo del Toro at the Venice Film Festival is a testament to his resilience, talent, and dedication to his craft.