Big names vying for awards
2007-07-27 10:29
Rome - George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Richard Gere head a star-studded cast vying for the coveted Golden Lion awards at this year's Venice Film Festival, which opens on August 29.
Renowned directors competing for an award also include Brian De Palma, Ken Loach and Ang Lee, whose Brokeback Mountain triumphed in Venice in 2005 before being rewarded with an Oscar a year later.
Kenneth Branagh is in contention as director with Sleuth, starring Michael Caine and Jude Law, while Peter Greenaway returns to Venice with Nightwatching. Quentin Tarantino appears in an acting role in Mike Takashi's Japanese-style western Sukiyaki Western Django, one of the 22 films in contention.
The 64th edition of the festival was described as "unmissable" by festival director Marco Mueller during its presentation in Rome on Thursday.
"We have an extraordinary and interesting mix of films and nations this year," Mueller told a press conference.
The world's oldest film festival has come under pressure of late because of competition from Rome, which last year launched its own film festival and whose second edition will be taking place in the autumn.
Critics said Venice organisers had responded in style, putting together one of the most glamourous and quality casts in recent history.
"There's been unprecedented attention towards Venice. Venice is fundamental for cinema," said Biennale Chairperson Davide Croff in an apparent dig at the festival's upstart Italian rival.
US director Tim Burton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sleepy Hollow) is to receive the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement while organisers plan to honour Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci (Last Tango in Paris, The Last Emperor) to mark the 75th anniversary of the festival's first edition.
The festival, whose jury is this year made up entirely of directors including Australia's Jane Campion and Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek, runs until September 8. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA