Hong Kong director Johnnie To (File Photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 20 -- The Hong Kong film "Godly Detective" will go head-to-head with two other Chinese films---"Lust, Caution" by Taiwan director Ang Lee, and "The Sun Also Rises" by mainland director Jiang Wen---in a battle for a Gold Lion at the Venice film awards in Italy.

Director Johnnie To confirmed on Sunday that the film has been supplemented into the main competition section of the 64th Venice International Film Festival.

"It is a pleasant surprise!" Hong Kong media quoted Johnnie To as saying.

The director expressed his gratitude for the production crew. "I appreciate all the actors and background staff. Thanks Wai Ka-Fai for writing the script."

Johnnie To also confirmed he will attend the festival together with Wai Ka-Fai, his long-time partner and cast member Lau Ching-Wan.

Meanwhile, the festival announced the same day that two other new titles will also be included in the program.

One of the films is "Disengagement" by the Israeli director Amos Gitai, to be shown in the "Out of Competition" section. It tells the story of family sentiments and stars French actress Juliette Binoche.

The other is "Callas Assoluta" by the French documentary filmmaker Philippe Kohly, commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the death of the world famous soprano Maria Callas. The film will run for this year's Horizons Documentary Prize.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)

Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" to Open Venice Film Festival

Director Ang Lee (R2) and cast members of the film, including Tony Leung (R1), Lee-hom Wong (L1) and Tang Wei (L2).(Photo: CRIENGLISH.com)

Photo Gallery>>>

BEIJING, May 26 - Director Ang Lee's latest hit "Lust, Caution" has been confirmed to open this year's Venice Film Festival, domestic portal Sina.com reported.

The film, which started shooting in last year, is based on a short story by Chinese writer Eileen Chang. The work is now undergoing final editing in New York. Full story

"Sun Also Rises" dropped from Cannes lineup

BEIJING, April 23 -- Chinese director-cum-actor Jiang Wen's "Sun Also Rises" was surprisingly taken off from the final lineup of the 60th Festival de Cannes, which was announced Thursday night.

Jiang and his wife Zhou Yun play the lead roles in the film. Full story

Zhang Yimou to chair jury of Venice film festival

Chinese writer and director Zhang Yimou poses at the screening of his new film "Curse of the Golden Flower" during the Closing Night at the AFI Fest 2006 in Hollywood, California in this file photo taken on Nov. 12, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Photo Gallery>>>

ROME, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese director Zhang Yimou has been chosen to head an all-director jury at this year's Venice Film Festival, organizers said on Tuesday.

The festival, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, will run from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8.