"The Whale" is one of the most promising works to be shown at the Venice Film Festival. The world premiere of the drama by Darren Aronofsky (53) on Sunday evening was a complete success. Brendan Fraser (53) received great applause for his performance as the leading actor and heralded his return to Hollywood. Fraser is believed to be at the forefront of the Oscar race for Best Actor.

The audience gave him applause and a standing ovation for six minutes. Videos circulating on social media show Fraser struggling for composure. The enthusiasm of the people moved him to tears. As "Variety" reports, among other things, he was not the only one in the room: During the last scenes of the film, many in the cinema audience needed a handkerchief.

The role demanded a lot from Brendan Fraser: To embody the depressed English teacher Charlie, the 53-year-old actor transformed into a 270-kilo man. He wore a special suit for this. In an interview before the premiere, according to "Variety", he revealed that it was "not exactly comfortable". The actor spent up to six hours in the make-up.

Fraser has "developed muscles I didn't know I had". At the end of each day of shooting, he felt dizzy when he took off his suit. "It made me sensitive to those whose bodies are similar. You have to be an incredibly strong person, mentally and physically, to inhabit that physical being," he explained.

"The Whale" is about English teacher Charlie, who has become obese after the death of his partner and sees his last chance to reconcile with his estranged daughter slip by. The film marks Fraser's impressive comeback to the big screen. It is his first starring role in a film since 'Breakout' (2013).

It is not yet known when the drama will start in German cinemas. In the US, the strip should be seen from December 9th.