George Clooney’s Film Jay Kelly Earns 10-Minute Ovation at Venice Amid His Illness, with Amal by His Side

George Clooney was able to take in a rapturous reception for his new film despite his recent illness.

On Thursday, Aug. 28, Clooney, 64, joined costar Adam Sandler and director Noah Baumbach for the Venice Film Festival premiere of their new film Jay Kelly. After the comedy screened at the Sala Grande theater, the cast and crew in attendance received a 10-minute standing ovation, per Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.

As the applause continued, Clooney kissed his wife Amal, who looked emotional in her seat just behind him. He then hugged Sandler, 58, and Baumbach, 55, who also embraced one another. 

The joyful evening follows Clooney’s decision to pull back from several of the festival’s events amid an illness.

One of the events Clooney missed was a press conference for the film, which took place earlier in the day on Thursday, Aug. 28. There, Baumbach explained to reporters why the actor was not in attendance.

“As you may know, George Clooney is not gonna be here because he has a bad sinus infection. We think he should be on the red carpet tonight, but he is very sorry he cannot be with us,” the moderator said, to which Baumbach then quipped, “Even movie stars get sick.”

Clooney arrived in Venice with his wife on Tuesday, Aug. 26, but, according to The Hollywood Reporter, he began to feel unwell on Wednesday, Aug. 27 and “was advised to head straight home and rest up” before the world premiere. 

“Unfortunately, George has a sinus infection and, under doctor’s orders, he has had to scale back his activities today,” a Clooney rep told PEOPLE.

He was able to attend the Thursday, Aug. 28, world carpet event, where he walked alongside his wife, 47.

“Clooney arrived with Amal, who was glowing and smiley in a fuchsia dress,” a bystander tells PEOPLE. Though he arrived with a cough, Clooney “became his goofy self,” shaking hands and giving hugs to various attendees and co-stars on the carpet.

Clooney stayed close to Amal, and kissed her hand in a very romantic gesture at one point during the red carpet.

The Oscar winner kept it classic in a black tux with a white button-down shirt and black bow tie. He escorted his wife along the carpet proudly and posed for photos with her while holding her arm.

Amal lit up the carpet in a body-hugging fuchsia minidress fitted with a billowing train. She accessorized with gold Aquazzura Forever More Sandal 105 heels and a gold clutch. 

In Jay Kelly, Clooney plays the title character, a fictional famous film actor who embarks “on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe, alongside his devoted manager Ron (Sandler), according to Netflix.

“Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind,” the synopsis reads. The movie is written and directed by Baumbach, who collaborated with Emily Mortimer on the script.

Jay Kelly also stars Baumbach’s wife, Greta Gerwig, as well as Laura Dern and Billy Crudup Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Riley Keough, Isla Fisher and Patrick Wilson.

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Jay Kelly will premiere in theaters on Nov. 14 and will be available to stream on Netflix on Dec. 5.