The Venice Film Festival begins today with the world premiere of Keira Knightley's latest film, 'Atonement'.
Knightley will attend the event with co-stars James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave. 'Atonement' is an adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel set around the Second World War. Also attending will be Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan, who plays the pivotal role of Briony.
Knightley plays Cecilia Tallis, an upper class young woman whose fledgling love affair with the housekeeper's son (McAvoy) is destroyed by a tragic misunderstanding.
The film, from second-time director Joe Wright, is already being tipped for Oscar nominations by critics who have been given an early preview.
'Atonement' is one of several contenders for the Golden Lion prize for best film. Among the other competitors are: 'Sleuth', a remake of the 1972 whodunnit directed by Kenneth Branagh with Jude Law and Michael Caine in the title roles; 'It's A Free World', Ken Loach's study of migrant labour in the UK; and 'Nightwatching', Peter Greenaway's Rembrandt mystery featuring Martin Freeman.
Other films in contention include 'Michael Clayton', a legal thriller starring George Clooney, and 'I'm Not There', in which the likes of Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett play Bob Dylan.
Westerns feature strongly at the festival - Brad Pitt is expected in Venice for the premiere of his new film, 'The Assassination of Jesse James' by the Coward Robert Ford, while Quentin Tarantino has helped put together a programme paying homage to the spaghetti western.
This year's competition also features two films which tackle the war in Iraq. Brian De Palma's 'Redacted' is a montage of stories about the conflict and is said to be highly critical of the Bush administration. 'In The Valley of Elah' stars Charlize Theron, Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon and tells of a soldier who goes missing after returning from Iraq.
Scarlett Johansson is expected to attend the premiere of 'The Nanny Diaries', while Woody Allen film 'Cassandra's Dream' will premiere with an appearance by its stars, Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor.
Tim Burton, director of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'Edward Scissorhands', is to be honoured with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
The winning film and prizes for best director, actor and actress will be announced on September 8.
