Antonio Banderas Points to ‘Philadelphia’ For Inspiring His AIDS Activism at Venice’s amfAR Gala

On Sunday night on the island of Lido — amid the goings on of the 81st Venice Film Festival — amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, held its annual gala. The World Gold Council, the Red Sea International Film Festival, Chopard, Campari and the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Hotel made the night possible, along with the support of Uber, Boroli Wines and Rumor Rosé, as the event took place at Hangar Nicelli.

Guests arrived in gowns and black tie attire to the airport by boat and took photos on the blue carpet, then enjoyed the cocktail hour with a bar by Campari. Attendees also posed with photos at the amfAR photo booth, and socialized around the art that would be auctioned off at the gala.

Julian Lennon told The Hollywood Reporter at the event that he’s “always wanted to be able to help a bit more than I have in supporting amfAR. I have my first-ever exhibition going on in Venice and it’s the biggest exhibition that I’ve ever done.” His exhibition, “Whispers – A Julian Lennon Retrospective” is running until Nov. 24 at La Stanze della Fotografia in a joint initiative by Marsilio Arte and Fondazione Giorgio Cinio.

“The piece I’m donating is in the exhibition, and also at the same time next month will be the first time of the release of my photographer coffee table book. We chose a piece that will hopefully be auctioned off the most,” he continued. “It’s a special one with my dad [Beatle John Lennon] behind Bono, during his Hamburg days. Initially, I was laying on the floor and I was looking up talking to Bono, and I saw Dad’s picture in the background and thought, ‘That’s a shot and a half.’ I took the shot and initially, I called it ‘Lennon Sandwich.’ We got the thumbs up from Bono and hopefully, we’ll get those signed off and do a good job raising a good amount.”

Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of amfAR, also spoke to THR before the dinner about the change of venue for the gala, explaining that they do a different location in Venice every year. “We mix it up for different reasons but largely because the event has grown. The first year we had 150 people and tonight we will have 450,” he said. “This year was particularly challenging because of the film festival and the Biennale — when they happen at the same time, inevitably spaces just get snapped up very quickly,” adding, “We thought it would be cool doing it at an airport; we’ve never done an airport before and I think the space looks very magnificent and I’m very happy.”

When it comes to advances amfAR has had since its last Venice gala, Frost noted, “We have now had seven people cured of HIV — two more were reported in the last year,” explaining that AIDS is not going to be cured overnight but “it’s a process. I’ve always thought that we would start curing some of the people, some of the time and more of the people, more of the time, and eventually get to a place where we could cure most of the people, most of the time. We’re firmly in the first stage; we can cure some of the people some of the time. When you hold that up in front of 40 million still infected, we are still a long way from where we need to be but it’s all about building the science.”

As guests took their seats inside the gala, actress Kate Beckinsale welcomed everyone and thanked sponsors, then she presented a video of amfAR’s work in AIDS prevention and research over the years, after Elizabeth Taylor launched the foundation in 1995. “Even though [Taylor] is not here, I believe she’s always here. Can we give a hand to the amazing Elizabeth Taylor for her impact in the fight against AIDS?” Beckinsale asked to applause. Rumor Willis, daughter of actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, then sang a soulful and jazzy rendition of The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” Speaking to the audience after her first song, she stated, “amfAR’s work really does transform lives.”

Later Antonio Banderas took to the stage, as he was presented with amfAR’s Global Impact Award. The actor is also in Venice premiering his latest film, Babygirl, which is in competition at this year’s festival.

He spoke to THR privately before the event, saying, “It feels to me more than a recognition to be here. It feels like an invitation. This is the way that they do it. In reality, they are asking: ‘Help us.’ I’m totally open to do this because of the 1993 film Philadelphia with film director Jonathan Demme. In a way I have been very attached to the people with HIV/AIDS, to the families and to their friends. Many of my friends were victims of this disease, so for me it’s just that invitation and I’m going to open the door to collaborate with the activist inside of me.”

On stage, Banderas told the crowd to “use me for this cause of HIV/AIDS,” and said that after filming Philadelphia, he told an extra that he’d see them at the premiere. But the extra said he wouldn’t make it, as AIDS had ravaged his body and he was close to the end.

Richard Gere was also honored at the event, as he was presented with amfAR’s Award of Inspiration. Giving a sobering speech, everyone in the room was stone-cold silent as the actor shared his passion for HIV and AIDS awareness. Speaking of the AIDS crises that ravaged the world in the late ’80s and into the ’90s, Gere said, “I don’t want to go back to that time. There was so much talk then that God caused this as a punishment. I lost so many friends. This is not a game and together we can solve any problem.”

The organization has galas in Cannes, Palm Beach, Los Angeles and has held events in many other cities. But for Frost, Venice is unlike any other. “This is the most magical city in the world. Every time I come into this city I have the same feeling and I’ve been here so many times over the years, but when you’ve just come into Venice for the first time, you realize it’s not like anywhere else in the world, it’s so, so magical,” he said.

Kelly Rowland rounded out the evening with performances of “Dilemma,” “Like This,” “Say My Name,” “Bootylicious,” “When Love Takes Over,” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”