'Burn After Reading' to open Venice fest

Venice, Italy -- "Burn After Reading," a movie by U.S. film-making brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, will open the 65th Venice Film Festival, a festival representative said.

The world premiere of the dark comedy starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton will open at the Venice Lido Aug. 27, just more than a week before its British release via Universal Pictures, Variety reported Tuesday.

A Venice festival representative said no decision has been made about whether "Burn After Reading" will play at the Lido in competition or out-of-competition.

"No Country for Old Men" opened last year from Cannes in competition.

The Coens were at the Lido in 2003 with the out-of-competition showing of "Intolerable Cruelty," another Clooney vehicle with Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"Burn After Reading" is the second straight year a film from the Working Title stable opens Venice, following "Atonement" last year.

The Venice Film Festival runs Aug. 27-Sept 6.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.