On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, actor Joaquin Phoenix, 50, and longtime partner Rooney Mara, 40, made a rare red-carpet appearance at the Venice Film Festival to support The Voice of Hind Rajab, a film they executive produced that received a 21-minute standing ovation at its world premiere.
Key Takeaways
- Joaquin Phoenix (50) and Rooney Mara (40) attended Venice on Sept. 3, 2025, to back The Voice of Hind Rajab.
- Neither stars in the film; both hold executive producer credits on the project.
- The film earned a 21-minute standing ovation after its world premiere at Venice.
- Phoenix’s silver hair and all-black ensemble and Mara’s black loofah-inspired dress drew attention on the carpet.
- The couple, together since 2017, keep their private life largely out of public view; they share a son, River Phoenix, born in 2020.
- They first appeared together on a major red carpet at Cannes in 2017 and were last publicly seen at Cannes in May 2025.
- Joaquin has publicly referred to Mara as his “wife” in past interviews, but no marriage has been confirmed.
Verified Facts
The pair attended the Venice Film Festival red carpet on September 3, 2025, in support of The Voice of Hind Rajab. According to festival coverage, the film drew a 21-minute standing ovation at its world premiere; Phoenix and Mara are credited as executive producers but are not listed among the film’s cast.
Photographs from the event showed Phoenix in an all-black outfit with his characteristic grey hair and closely shaved sides, while Mara wore a sleeveless black dress with a textured, loofah-like skirt and an updo. Their appearance marked one of several rare joint outings since they began their relationship in 2017.
The couple first made a prominent red-carpet appearance together at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. They were last photographed together at Cannes in May 2025, where brief displays of affection were noted by observers.
Public comments by the pair help illuminate their private approach to family life: they live together in the Hollywood Hills and have one son, River Phoenix, born in 2020, named in tribute to Joaquin’s late brother.
Context & Impact
Venice is one of the world’s most visible launchpads for awards-season contenders; a long standing ovation can raise a film’s profile among distributors, critics, and awards voters. The presence of high-profile executive producers such as Phoenix and Mara can also attract media attention and festival audiences.
The couple’s selective public outings continue a pattern of privacy. Their decision to appear together for a project they produced signals a professional endorsement while preserving distance from acting publicity cycles.
For the filmmakers and festival programmers, the film’s warm reception may translate into wider festival bookings or stronger awards momentum; for Phoenix and Mara, the appearance reinforces their growing role behind the camera.
Official Statements
“It doesn’t feel like a two-actor house… It feels like a creative household, we’re constantly talking about creative things,” Rooney Mara said about parenting and their home life during a December 2022 episode of the LaunchLeft podcast.
Rooney Mara, LaunchLeft (Dec. 2022)
Unconfirmed
- No public record confirms a legal marriage between Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara despite past references to Mara as Phoenix’s “wife”.
- Details about the couple’s private arrangements, including future public appearances or production plans, remain private and unverified.
Bottom Line
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara’s appearance at Venice on September 3 was a discreet but meaningful show of support for a film they helped produce. The positive reception for The Voice of Hind Rajab strengthens the film’s festival profile while reaffirming the couple’s preference for privacy balanced with selective professional visibility.