S4 Ep.18 - Inside Venice Noir: Crime Writing Comes to Venice
In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with Gregory Dowling, Philip Gwynne Jones and David Hewson, the three writers behind Venice Noir, Venice’s international festival dedicated to crime writing, noir and the darker side of storytelling.
What began as an ambitious literary idea has grown into a distinctive festival bringing together Italian and international authors, historians, journalists and readers in the heart of Venice.
We talk about how Venice Noir has evolved, how the programme is shaped, the relationship between Italian crime writing and the international noir scene and what happens when three crime writers have to agree on what actually belongs in a noir festival.
There is also plenty of discussion about growth, identity, literary festivals, dream guests and, inevitably, a little friendly disagreement.
Key Notes from This Episode
- How Venice Noir has evolved from an idea into an international literary festival
- The role of Italian authors within an international programme
- The relationship between Italian giallo and English-language crime fiction
- How Gregory, Philip and David choose writers, themes and events
- How broad the definition of “noir” can really become
- The festival’s relationship with the international crime-writing world
- What organising a literary festival teaches writers about being guests themselves
- How the three founders balance different tastes and ideas
- The challenges of growing while keeping the festival intimate
- The authors they would love to invite in the future
A conversation about books, murder, Venice and the dark literary creature that Gregory Dowling, Philip Gwynne Jones and David Hewson continue to shape year after year.
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✨ Credits:
Hosted by Monica Cesarato
Produced by Monica Cesarato, Vivace Media
Guest: Gregory Dowling, Philip Gwynne Jones and David Hewson From Venice Noir
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