As the world's oldest film festival got underway on Thursday, Venice was gearing itself up to welcome many of the movie industry's biggest names. And Tinseltown heart-throb George Clooney was among the first to set the flashbulbs blazing. The Ocean's Twelve star made a dramatic entrance, roaring into the harbour at the wheel of a speedboat. And he was by no means the only famous face turning heads in the historic city, because Harrison Ford and his girlfriend Calista Flockhart likewise landed into town, albeit at a rather more sedate pace, on board a floating taxi.
George, who has become an enormously popular figure in Italy since setting up home on the shores of Lake Como, is considered one of the frontrunners for the prestigious Golden Lion Award. The 44-year-old has written, directed and starred in Good Night And Good Luck which tells the story of the so-called "McCarthy witch-hunts" of the 1950s.
In characteristically self-effacing form, the heart-throb said he was delighted to be getting some credit for his directing as he didn't think his thespian skills were up to much. "Acting is, as I've proven time and time again, not my greatest forte," he joked.
His latest flick will face some stiff competition from the other movies which have made the shortlist, though. British talents Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz are both expected to jet into town to support their offering, The Constant Gardener, while Monica Bellucci and Matt Damon will likewise be putting in an appearance to back The Brothers Grimm. Among the other A-listers who have booked their tickets for this year's festival are Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Christopher Walken and Juliette Binoche.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
