First Rome Film Fest Opens

1st Rome Film Fest Opens with 'Fur'

Nicole Kidman launched her movie "Fur" — based loosely on the life of photographer Diane Arbus — at the inaugural Rome Film Festival, which opened on Friday.

The event will bring a handful of Hollywood stars to the Italian capital, including Richard Gere, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Connery.

"Fur," which combines biography and fictional romance, is shown out of competition along with other premieres, such as "Alatriste," a movie about a soldier living in 17th century Spain starring Viggo Mortensen; "The Hoax," starring Gere; and Mira Nair's "The Namesake," about an Indian family moving to New York.

Italian diva Monica Bellucci appears in two films also out of competition: "N (Io e Napoleone)" or "N (Napoleon and I)" and "Le Concile De Pierre" or "The Stone Council."

Among the 16 movies competing for the Best Movie Award are Iranian Niki Karimi's "Chand rooz ba'd...," or "A few days later...," and Shane Meadows' "This is England."

The Rome event, which has fueled speculation of rivalry with the Venice Film festival, runs through October 21. It is mainly held at the city's Auditorium, an exhibition and concert center designed by architect Renzo Piano.

CONNERY HONOURED
Sir Sean Connery has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award on the eve of the first Rome Film Festival. The 76-year-old, guest of honour at an opening concert at Rome Opera House, said the award was "fantastic". Festival President Goffredo Bettini said Sir Sean was recognised for "his fame, popularity and his brilliance."

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