Venice film awards race wide open after star-studded festival

Paolo Sorrentino`s film about the death of his own parents, Jane Campion's 1920s frontier saga and a hard-hitting French tale of abortion are among contenders for the top prize at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, with the race seen wide open.

Film critics agreed the main competition line-up of 21 titles, which included Kristen Stewart`s turn as Princess Diana in 'Spencer', was one of the strongest in recent memory as many movies were held back during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Outside the competition, and ineligible for awards, were Denis Villeneuve`s remake of a science fiction classic 'Dune'and Ridley Scott`s medieval epic 'The Last Duel'.

Those two pictures bumped up the star-power - a vital ingredient to a successful festival, and even more so after last year`s subdued edition. Ben Affleck - holding hands with Jennifer Lopez - Matt Damon, Timothee Chalamet, Stewart and Penelope Cruz were among the A-listers on the red carpet.

COVID-19 restrictions meant fans were kept at a distance from celebrities - though Chalamet jumped over a security fence to sign autographs and pose for pictures with a screaming crowd.

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