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Clooney's movie gets Venice fest under way
Source: Agencies |
September 1, 2011, Thursday
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GEORGE Clooney explores the dirty side of politics in "The Ides of March," the opening movie at the Venice film festival, in which an aide to a Democratic presidential candidate learns how dispensable ideals can be.
The Hollywood heartthrob directs and acts in a behind-the-scenes look at a US election race, and the world premiere yesterday ensured a star-studded red carpet to kick off the 11-day cinema showcase in the canal city.
There was muted applause at the press screening ahead of a photocall, news conference and interviews for the drama in which Ryan Gosling plays the central role of press attache Stephen Myers.
A devoted employee to Clooney's governor Mike Morris, he becomes embroiled in a high-stakes game of sex, power and horse-trading in a critical look at the reality behind political rhetoric.
Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Myers' boss and Paul Giamatti his rival. Evan Rachel Wood rounds off the main cast as an intern with a dangerous secret.
The Ides of March takes its inspiration from Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North," itself loosely based on the 2004 Democratic primary campaign of Howard Dean.
It is Clooney's latest directorial foray into the world of politics following 2005's black and white "Good Night, and Good Luck," which also launched in Venice.
While it may prove popular in a city where the 50-year-old is a firm favorite and movies critical of the US tend to strike a chord, its reception at home in October when it hits theatres is less certain.
The evening gala screening marks the opening of the festival. Thousands of journalists and fans have descended on the Lido island across the water from Venice to catch a glimpse of their idols and bring the glamour of the world's oldest film festival to a global audience.
The roll call of celebrities expected this year includes Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey, Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and pop superstar Madonna.
It marks a significant turnaround for director Marco Mueller, who was criticized last year for a low-key festival and faces growing competition from the annual rival event in Toronto, which overlaps the Venice schedule.
Among the hotly anticipated titles is "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," an adaption of John Le Carre's spy novel starring Colin Firth and Gary Oldman.
Other standout titles in competition include Briton Andrea Arnold's take on the Emily Bronte novel "Wuthering Heights," US director Ami Canaan Mann's "Texas Killing Fields," William Friedkin's "Killer Joe," and David Cronenberg's "A Dangerous Method."
The Hollywood heartthrob directs and acts in a behind-the-scenes look at a US election race, and the world premiere yesterday ensured a star-studded red carpet to kick off the 11-day cinema showcase in the canal city.
There was muted applause at the press screening ahead of a photocall, news conference and interviews for the drama in which Ryan Gosling plays the central role of press attache Stephen Myers.
A devoted employee to Clooney's governor Mike Morris, he becomes embroiled in a high-stakes game of sex, power and horse-trading in a critical look at the reality behind political rhetoric.
Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Myers' boss and Paul Giamatti his rival. Evan Rachel Wood rounds off the main cast as an intern with a dangerous secret.
The Ides of March takes its inspiration from Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North," itself loosely based on the 2004 Democratic primary campaign of Howard Dean.
It is Clooney's latest directorial foray into the world of politics following 2005's black and white "Good Night, and Good Luck," which also launched in Venice.
While it may prove popular in a city where the 50-year-old is a firm favorite and movies critical of the US tend to strike a chord, its reception at home in October when it hits theatres is less certain.
The evening gala screening marks the opening of the festival. Thousands of journalists and fans have descended on the Lido island across the water from Venice to catch a glimpse of their idols and bring the glamour of the world's oldest film festival to a global audience.
The roll call of celebrities expected this year includes Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey, Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and pop superstar Madonna.
It marks a significant turnaround for director Marco Mueller, who was criticized last year for a low-key festival and faces growing competition from the annual rival event in Toronto, which overlaps the Venice schedule.
Among the hotly anticipated titles is "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," an adaption of John Le Carre's spy novel starring Colin Firth and Gary Oldman.
Other standout titles in competition include Briton Andrea Arnold's take on the Emily Bronte novel "Wuthering Heights," US director Ami Canaan Mann's "Texas Killing Fields," William Friedkin's "Killer Joe," and David Cronenberg's "A Dangerous Method."
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