The Venice Film Festival: A very Italian affair (Independent)

Published on: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:07:38 GMT

This year's Venice Film Festival got off to a cliché-ridden start: the sun beat down, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, Italy's favourite Americans, flashed their dazzling Hollywood smiles and signed autographs for adoring fans, the water taxis threatened to go on strike and the new festival complex was only half-built (it will be ready by 2011). More »