The big news at the 66th Annual Venice Film Festival—aside from George Clooney introducing his latest girlfriend to the world—has to do, as always, with movie debuts that tend to get film buffs riled up in their plush, reclining chairs. This year's festival drew names including Oliver Stone, Matt Damon, Michael Moore, and—oh, god—Paris Hilton to the celebration of international film.

Stone had one of the more memorable red carpet moments of the festival when he walked buddy-buddy style with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to the premiere of South of the Border, his film about the leader and stereotypes associated with him. As The Telegraph UK reports, the two were surrounded by a swarm of 50 bodyguards. Necessary, sure, but also in keeping with Stone's penchant for controversy. ]]> Heidi Atwal 2009-09-11T14:45:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/9/121710/6493

Often overshadowed by its cousins in Toronto and Cannes, the Venice Film Festival isn't so much forgotten as snuck into most A-listers' schedules in a rush of press trips. But attendees at this year's Venetian outing got a treat yesterday: George Clooney, performing live! One night only!

Also, one song only: After technical problems hit a screening of his new movie "Men Who Stare At Goats," the world's favorite bachelor (despite bringing along his new girlfriend) serenaded the crowd with "O Sole Mio"—tune of stereotyped gondoliers everywhere. Who knew he could sing, besides everyone who saw "O Brother Where Art Thou"? ]]> egw 2009-09-09T12:41:28-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/1/104927/1335

Today in Venice, the city is full of prosecco glasses clinking and red carpets rolling out as the Venice International Film Festival begins—the world's oldest film festival—and this year brings another impressive roster of films battling for the Golden Lion prize.

Actually, come to think of it, SkyEurope had routes to Venice's Treviso airport; we sure hope no one is stranded elsewhere trying to get to Venice for the films, because they'll sure be missing out on some good stuff. For instance, Michael Moore is using the fest to premiere his newest: "Capitalism: A Love Story," about the US economic meltdown. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-01T11:17:38-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/4/82812/21253

Anne Hathaway poses for photos before the opening of her new movie, "Rachel Getting Married," at the Venice Film Festival. She stars in the Jonathan Demme-directed indie as a wild child reunited with her family for the wedding of her sister (Rosemarie DeWitt).

Hathaway has been stowed out of sight as more information comes out about her ex-boyfriend Rafael Follieri's cons. The latest revelation is that she, not knowing how much trouble he was in, paid his $37,000 rent for four months. Next time, use HotelChatter to find a hotel!

Related Stories:
· Dangerous Travel: Agent 99 Attacked Off-Duty In Russia [Jaunted]
· Anne Hathaway Deals with Breakup At The Gramercy Park Hotel [HC]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: cele|bitchy]]]> egw 2008-09-04T08:45:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/10/221757/663

Get gorgeous and get ready for the red carpet this fall and head to the 65th Venice International Film Festival, which kicks off August 27 at the Venice Lido with Joel and Ethan Coen's "Burn After Reading."

Other festival highlights include Corto Cortissimo (an international competition of short films) and "These Phantoms: Italian Cinema Rediscovered," as well as screenings of films from India ("Zero Bridge") to Russia ("Paper Soldier"). Oh, and there will be stars--lots of stars--like George Clooney, Anne Hathaway and Frances McDormand.

Tickets for the public must be purchased in person at the Casinò, the PalaBiennale on the Venice Lido or the Palazzo Querini Dubois; they range in price from $16 to well over $400 for day passes and preferred seating. Follow the photogs!

Related Stories:
· Venice International Film Festival [Official Site]
· Datebook: Venice [NYT]
· Five Must-Sees at the 2008 Venice Film Festival [Jaunted]

[Photo: flo]]]> sedona 2008-08-11T10:05:08-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/30/113636/041

The Venice Film Festival, held August 27 through September 4, just announced its slate of films, and we're so excited. It may not have the cachet of Cannes, but at least there aren't any jellyfish on its shores. Here's what's on our ticket list:

• 5. "The Wrestler" One of only five American films in competition this year, this is Darren Aronofsky's follow-up to the controversial "The Fountain" starring Mickey Rourke and Evan Rachel Wood.


• 4. "The Burning Plain" Now that Alejandro González Iñárritu and Guillermo Arriaga, the director and screenwriter of "21 Grams" and "Babel," have ended their partnership, we're looking forward to seeing what Arriaga might have up his sleeve with this drama about a woman (Charlize Theron) trying to reunite with her estranged mother (Kim Basinger), a casting that could either go really right or super wrong.

If a Labor Day barbeque isn't your ideal end-of-summer bash, jaunt over to Venice where, from August 27-September 6, you can experience how Italians celebrate cinema at the 65th Venice International Film Festival.

Sure the city will be swarming with fanny-packin' tourists and parasitical pigeons and you may catch an unpleasant whiff of Venice at low tide but if George, Johnny and Charlize can stand it, I'm sure you can too.]]> CourtScott 2008-03-26T12:17:19-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/