Dark tales at Venice film fest; aliens, psychopaths

ROME - Agence France-Presse

George Clooney and Sandra Bullock’s new movie will open the Venice Fest.

Tales of crises, terror and abuse will reign at the Venice film festival this year, with the lack of Hollywood stars made up for by the screening of a series of intriguing wild cards.

The 70th edition of the world’s oldest film festival, which runs from August 28 to September 7, will mirror today’s difficult economic and social climate -- and will lack big names because it cannot afford to entice them to come, the director said.

“Cinema reflects the crises we are going through, be they economic, social or familial. It is a mirror of an often tragic reality,” festival director Alberto Barbera told journalists. “Sexual abuse, violence against women, the breakdown of family ties, inadequate parents, the crisis of values... filmmakers are not giving any signs of optimism or a way out,” he said. Twenty films will be competing for the prestigious Golden Lion.

Among them, British Stephen Frears unveils the true story of “Philomena”, starring Judi Dench as a mother seeking the son she gave up for adoption.