Antonio Banderas Credits 'Philadelphia' for His Activism at amfAR Gala

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

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

Julian Lennon said The Hollywood Reporter at the event that he has “always wanted to be able to help a little bit more than I have in supporting amfAR. I have my first ever show going on in Venice and it's the biggest show I've ever done.” His show, “Whispers – A Julian Lennon Retrospective” is on view through November 24 at La Stanze della Fotografia in a joint initiative of Marsilio Arte and Fondazione Giorgio Cinio.

“The piece I'm donating is on display, and at the same time my coffee table photography book will be coming out for the first time next month. We've chosen a piece that hopefully will be auctioned more,” she continued. “It's a special piece with my father. [Beatle John Lennon] behind Bono, during his Hamburg days. Initially I was lying on the floor and looking up talking to Bono, and I saw the picture of Dad in the background and I thought, “This is a shot and a half.” I took the picture and initially called it the “Lennon Sandwich.” We got the thumbs up from Bono and hopefully we can get those signed and do a good job of raising a good amount of money.”

Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of amfAR, also spoke DAY before the dinner about the change of venue for the gala, explaining that they change locations in Venice every year. “We change things for different reasons, but mostly because the event has grown. The first year we had 150 people and tonight we have 450,” she said. “This year has been particularly busy because of the film festival and the Biennale: when they are happening at the same time, inevitably the spaces get booked up very quickly,” adding, “We thought it would be nice to do it in an airport; we’ve never done an airport before and I think the space is really magnificent and I’m very happy.”

Regarding the progress amfAR has made since the last Venice gala, Frost noted, “We’ve had seven people cured of HIV, two more were reported last year,” explaining that AIDS won’t be cured overnight, but “it’s a process. I always thought we’d start curing some people, some of the time, and more people, more of the time, and eventually we’d get to a point where we could cure most people, most of the time. We’re firmly in the first phase; we can cure some people some of the time. When you look at that against the 40 million people still infected, we’re still a long way from where we need to be, but it’s about building the science.”

As guests took their seats inside the gala, actress Kate Beckinsale welcomed everyone and thanked the sponsors, then presented a video of amfAR's work in AIDS prevention and research over the years since Elizabeth Taylor launched the foundation in 1995. “While [Taylor] she’s not here, I think she’s always here. Can we give back 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, jazzy version of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” Speaking to the crowd after her first song, she said, “amfAR’s work truly transforms lives.”

Antonio Banderas then took the stage to present him with amfAR's Global Impact Award. The actor is also in Venice to preview his latest film, Girlcompeting at this year's festival.

He spoke with DAY privately before the event, saying, “For me it's more than an acknowledgement to be here. It's like an invitation. That's how they do it. They're actually asking, 'Help us.' I'm totally open to doing that because of the 1993 film Philadelphia with director Jonathan Demme. In a way, I have been very connected to people with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends. Many of my friends have been victims of this disease, so for me it's just an invitation and I will open the door to collaborate with the activist inside me.”

On stage Banderas told the crowd to “use me for this HIV/AIDS cause,” and said that after the shooting PhiladelphiaHe told an extra that he would see them at the premiere. But the extra said he wouldn't make it, because AIDS had ravaged his body and he was nearing the end.

Richard Gere was also honored at the event, as he was presented with amfAR's Award of Inspiration. Delivering a serious speech, everyone in the room fell into stony silence as the actor shared his passion for raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. Speaking about the AIDS crises that ravaged the world in the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Gere said, “I don't want to go back to that time. There was so much talk that God brought this on as punishment. I've lost so many friends. This is not a game, and together we can solve any problem.”

The organization has held 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 to this city I have the same feeling and I've been so many times over the years, but when you come to Venice for the first time, you realize it's not like any other place in the world, it's so, so magical,” he said.

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