The Venice Film Festival hosted the world premiere of Paul Schrader's The Basics of Philosophy on Friday night, where the revered 80-year-old director was overcome with emotion as the credits rolled to a four-minute standing ovation. The heartfelt reception saw Schrader, known for his stoic demeanor, tear up, prompting a comforting embrace from his lead actor, Jack Huston.
The Basics of Philosophy delves into the meticulously ordered life of John Jorissen (Jack Huston), a philosophy professor grappling with a long-buried transgression. When a figure from his past resurfaces, Jorissen is plunged into an existential crisis, wrestling with profound guilt and burgeoning desire. Sofia Boutella co-stars as Becca, Jorissen’s partner and colleague, alongside a strong ensemble cast including Daniel Zovatto, Bill Pullman, Dana Delany, Shiloh Fernandez, Karl Glusman, and Elizabeth Petruso. The film also boasts Martin Scorsese as an executive producer, continuing a collaboration with Schrader that spans iconic works like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.
The film's premiere, despite its somber and introspective subject matter, was met with a warm response from the Lido crowd. The audience rose for a standing ovation, applauding for four minutes, a moment that visibly touched Schrader.
Paul Schrader gets choked up during the 4-minute standing ovation following the world premiere his film ‘The Basics of Philosophy’ at the Venice Film Festival. The drama stars Jack Huston, Sofia Boutella, Bill Pullman, Dana Delany, Daniel Zovatto and others. pic.twitter.com/nYuoANMTLD — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR)
The Basics of Philosophy marks Schrader's continued exploration of his signature “Man in the Room” trope. This recurring archetype, first embodied by Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, features a solitary male protagonist who maintains a diary and uses his profession as a mask. Schrader elaborated on this character to THR, stating, “He’s the loner who keeps his own company, keeps a diary and wears a mask, which is his profession. He began his journey as a taxi driver, then was an escort [in American Gigolo], a drug delivery boy [*Light Sleeper*], a police officer [in Affliction], a minister [*First Reformed*], a poker player [*The Card Counter*] and a gardener [*Master Gardener*]. Now he’s a professor of philosophy.”
This latest film solidifies Schrader's late-career critical resurgence, following acclaimed works like First Reformed (2017), The Card Counter (2021), and Master Gardener (2022), all of which also premiered at Venice. First Reformed notably earned Schrader his first Oscar nomination for original screenplay at the age of 71.