Allen Opens Venice

The 60th Venice International Film Festival kicked off last night (Wednesday) with the world premiere of Woody Allen's Anything Else.

The movie rolled after a packed but lengthy opening ceremony.

The normally reclusive Allen arrived amid popping flash bulbs and received a warm reception at the black-tie opening-night gala and although he was late, the filmmaker-comedian took the time to walk up the blue carpet.

Joining him were cast members Christina Ricci and Jason Biggs and the director's wife, Soon-Yi.

Allen's appearance marks his first time at the Venice event, though many of his films have been screened on the Lido.

"Cannes and Venice are the two most glamorous festivals and the ones I always read about," Allen told a packed auditorium before the screening.

"I've been a great admirer of Italian cinema over the years and I've shamelessly lifted scenes and techniques from several great Italian directors, including Fellini, for my own movies".

One hundred and forty five titles will be shown over the next fortnight, with 20 of them competing for the Golden Lion.

The stars expected to tread the blue carpet include Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek - all in to publicise Robert Rodriguez's Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, George Clooney and Omar Sharif are also flying in.

But the festival itself is in competition for stars and headlines this year - the increasingly important Toronto Film Festival (September 4th - 15th) overlaps with Venice. That, combined with budget cuts, means film buyers, makers and performers all have to make tough choices about where they head for.

For the official 60th Venice Film Festival homepage, click the link below (you'll have a nightmare trying to find it otherwise - it's not Google friendly...)