Atonement Opens Venice Film Festival

The 64th Venice Film Festivalgot underway on Wednesday with a star studded opening with the world premier of British film 'Atonement'The film, an adaptation of Ian mcEwan's novel a tale which spans several decades, stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.Atonement, which is only director Joe Wright's second feature film his first being Pride and Prejudice, is in contention to win the Golden Lion, the festival's top prize.The film is hotly tipped to scoop the award.Keira Knightley was the star of the red carpet, wearing a pale peach dress with sparkling stars in her hair and signed autographs for ten minutes before entering the Palazzo del Cinema.She was joinedby co-stars James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave and director Joe Wright.The film has been greeted well by the critics who are hailing Knightley's performance tipping her for an Oscar nomination.Atonement is one of nine British films being shown at the festival which includes Kenneth Branagh's Sleuth starring Michael Caine and Jude Law and Ken Loach's It's A Free World.

Helen Earnshaw