Zooey Deschanel Joins Casey Affleck at the 'Dreamin' Wild' Photo Call in Venice

Guy Lodge Film Critic Not many films hit an emotional crescendo around the publication of a Pitchfork review, but Bill Pohlad’s “Dreamin’ Wild” is sufficiently sincere and embedded in musical nerdery to make it work. As onetime brother act Donnie and Joe Emerson huddle with their family around a 30-years-late evaluation of the album they recorded as teenagers, one particular critical reference sends them giddily reeling: “To twist a Brian Wilson phrase,” it reads, “[the album] is a godlike symphony to teenhood.” For fortysomething Donnie, who has spent his whole adult life scrambling for anyone to listen to his music — let alone love it — the mere mention of his musical hero in relation to his work is a crowning triumph: Donnie, as played by a typically disheveled, downcast Casey Affleck, looks briefly, guardedly happy for a moment, and this often melancholic film is suddenly suffused with well-being.

New Girl cast member Zooey Deschanel has been going strong with Property Brothers’ star Jonathan Scott for about three years now, much to the delight of their many fans. The couple didn’t hesitate to go Instagram official in October 2019, shortly after meeting on an episode of Carpool Karaoke, and have since given their followers several glimpses into their life together.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent “I see a lot of rich people here!” said Jodie Turner-Smith as she took to the stage to open the Venice Film Festival AmfAR gala and auction held Wednesday evening in the Arsenale, a former shipyard complex on the edge of the city’s Grand Canal. Urging guests to be generous, Turner-Smith, who looked stunning in a yellow corset top, reminded everyone that, “It’s easy to forget that AIDS still remains one of the world’s most serious health threats.”  Though undoubtedly lower key than the event held at Cannes, AmfAR Venice had its fair share of glamour and star power with Heather Graham, Patricia Clarckson, Marisa Tomei and Rachel Brosnahan among chairs. 

Ellie Goulding showed off her incredible figure at the amfAR Gala at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday. The singer, 35, was joined by Jodie Turner-Smith who wows in a bold skirt that she teamed with a corset top at the charity event that benefits AIDS research. Ellie's wet-look metallic gown clung perfectly to her gym-honed physique as she flashed a glimpse of her lithe legs through a daring thigh-high split.

Zooey Deschanel leans back for a kiss from boyfriend Jonathan Scott at the premiere of her movie, Dreamin’ Wild, during the 2022 Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night (September 7) in Venice, Italy.

The Emersons are modest people. Running a farm, along with raising children to be decent, God-fearing and hard-working, is an all-day, all-week business; there isn’t much time for pretension. Even among the rustling pine trees in their little bit of Washington state, however, teenage boys may pick at guitars, noodle out a few songs that sound a bit like the Eagles, imagine rock stardom and dream of being discovered. The true story of the Emerson brothers would be like thousands of others, except for the fact that they were discovered. And that they were discovered, thanks to the internet, 30 years too late.

Hugh Jackman and Laura Dern are stepping out at the 2022 Venice Film Festival.

Hugh Jackman and Laura Dern are stepping out at the 2022 Venice Film Festival.

Casey Affleck heaped praise on Andrew Dominik’s forthcoming Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde during a press conference for his latest film Dreamin’ Wild at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday.

Stalwart indie filmmaker Bill Pohlad today premeres in Venice Dreamin’ Wild. His directing follow up to the critically acclaimed Brian Wilson film Love & Mercy also follows a music story, though one far less familiar. Casey Affleck, Noah Jupe, Zooey Deschanel, Walton Goggins and Beau Bridges star. When Donnie Emerson (played by Affleck and Jupe) was a teenager growing up on his father’s farm in Fruitland, Washington (population 791) he spent his days writing music and dreaming of becoming a music star. And everyone in the family became invested in that dream, including his brother Joe (Goggins) who became his drummer, and especially his father, Don Sr (Bridges). He mortgaged his farm to build a $100,000 recording studio, and more to help Donnie make and release his first record. It went nowhere and the bulk of the farm had to be sold when the loan came due. But 30 years later, the overlooked album was rediscovered by the music scene. Suddenly Donnie, who continued to struggle and write and play his music, had gotten a taste of his childhood dreams. But it comes with the guilt of failure that haunted him for years, and involves having to play the songs that meant something as a teen, but not as a 50 year old man who has evolved as a musician. And it is all true.

Caylee Cowan waves at the cameras after arriving at the airport with Casey Affleck in Venice, Italy on Tuesday (September 6).

Casey Affleck is a busy guy — that’s why you didn’t see him at his big brother Ben Affleck‘s wedding, OK?!

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's gathering because of "other things."It turns out that those "other things" involved taking his son Atticus to soccer practice.Over the weekend, the "Manchester by the Sea" star shared a message on Instagram welcoming Jen to the family. In the comment's section, Casey's girlfriend, Caylee Cowan, seemed to reveal the "Manchester by the Sea" star's reasoning for eschewing the wedding. "Hey, if you weren't in town Saturday to take Atty to soccer practice then who would've helped the kid who broke his arm?" she wrote in a since deleted comment.

Ben Affleck’s older brother Casey Affleck seems to be the family member with dark humor. The actor and filmmaker took to social media to officially welcome Jennifer Lopez to the family. Casey even warned his new sister-in-law.

After speculation surrounding his notable absence at brother Ben Affleck's wedding, Casey Affleck's girlfriend, 24-year-old Caylee Cowan, may have provided some insight as to why her man was not in attendance.  The younger Affleck shared to his Instagram a 2002 paparazzi photo of the trio, writing to Jennifer Lopez and Ben, "Welcome to the family. Get ready for some real dysfunction! Kidding. I am kidding." The 47-year-old Academy Award winner went on to say, "Jen, you are a gem.

Casey Affleck had responsibilities to take care of back home in Los Angeles — and so he skipped out on his big brother’s wedding!

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck tied the knot again on Saturday in front of their family and friends in Georgia.MORE: Casey Affleck's reason for missing Ben Affleck and J-Lo's wedding - all we knowHowever, one guest who was thought to have been absent from the nuptials was Ben's younger brother, actor Casey Affleck, who was reported to have been unable to attend due to parental obligations.Casey will no doubt have sent his best regards to Ben and J-Lo - who he recently enjoyed a star-studded night out with in Italy - and all for a very good cause.VIDEO: Jennifer Lopez gives rare shout-out to Ben AffleckThe Hustlers star and actor were both in Capri, Italy, to attend the Luisa Via Roma x Unicef gala.MORE: Ben Affleck makes huge personal decision after wedding to Jennifer LopezMORE: Jennifer Lopez makes heartfelt revelation about her blended family with Ben AffleckJennifer performed for almost an hour at the fundraiser, while Casey was out to support her, even hosting the auction at the event.They raised a lot of money too, with hosts Luisa Via Roma taking a staggering 8M euros for UNICEF.Other guests in attendance included Leonardo DiCaprio, Lara Stone, Edward Enninful, Jared Leto and Nathalie Emmanuel. Jennifer Lopez performed at the star-studded Luisa Via Roma x Unicef gala in July - also attended by Casey AffleckJennifer and Ben had honeymooned just the week before in Paris, following on from their surprise Las Vegas wedding on July 17.MORE: Jennifer Lopez's third wedding dress is her most jaw-dropping yetMORE: Inside 'soulmates' Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's 'emotional' wedding ceremonyThe couple took along their children on the trip, too - and it looked like a great time was had by all.