Scarlett Johansson, usually at the receiving end of the critics' pronouncements, is to be a judge at the Venice Film Festival. Hollywood's brightest young star, the 19-year-old joins veteran actress Helen Mirren and director John Boorman in deciding which film should receive the coveted Golden Lion award.
The much-anticipated The Terminal, starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones, made its European premiere at the opening ceremony last night.
Despite considerable publicity and a respected cast, the romantic comedy about an East European traveller stranded at a New York airport for nine months, received a lukewarm reception.
Hanks arrived at the premiere with his director Steven Spielberg, who defended the film. He said escapism was important in the wake of international terrorism.
"The world has shown us that to be a human being you need to be relieved from the headlines," he said. "And now there are headlines on every single television channel, sometimes people feel compelled to escape into the movies."
Other top contenders for the Golden Lion include Birth, a film about reincarnation starring Nicole Kidman, and an adaptation of Vanity Fair, featuring Reese Witherspoon.
Last night's premiere was followed by a gala dinner on the Lido beach for 900 guests.
Others stars expected at the festival include Nicole Kidman and Will Smith, Jude Law, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Gwyneth Paltrow and Meryl Streep.
