CINEMA BY THE SEA

Holiday time is running out. Oh! Where to go? For British filmmakers, the first choice has to be Venice, given that its Fest kicks off on August 29th, and look who's going.

Heading up the lucky handful has to be Joe Wright, enjoying his Grand Canal tour thanks to "Atonement", his highly anticipated adaptation of Ian McEwan's lavishly admired novel, which was chosen as the Festival's Opening Night title. For company on the beach and the red carpet, Wright should have co-stars Keira Knightly and James McAvoy.

But these relative newcomers won't have all the limelight to themselves, given that Kennth Branagh's "Sleuth" will be screening as well, with paparazzi favourites Jude Law and Michael Caine arm in arm even if they are trying to murder each other on screen (main photo).

For interesting conversation, all of these big names might be best advised to seek out arch art director Peter Greenaway, who is in town along with his latest, "Nightwatching", which suggests that nice looking painter Rembrandt may have included a murder clue in one of his most famous works. Yet, Greenaway could also be good for a laugh or two as he may well have Martin Freeman for company, given that love-smitten "Office" chap plays Rembrandt.

Those film buffs who require a little dose of politics during their vacations will be relived to know that Ken Loach is also making the trip, touting his new opus, "It's A Free World". Or not, to be more precise. The gist of the tale: girl gets sack from job, starts dodgy recruitment agency for immigrants in her kitchen and gets into trouble.

Among these household names, Hackney's Asif Kapadia might have expected to be free to explore the sights of the city unhounded, except that his film, "Far North", features Sean Bean, as a soldier, wreaking the usual havoc of two women's live. So he had best keep a pen handy for autographs too.

Finally, any of these filmmakers who feel homesick amid the hullabaloo should find some relief in the presence of Woody Allen, who will be showing off Cassandra's Dream, his take on two South London brothers lured into crime by the lovely Hayley Atwell (photo above).

Filed August 16, 2007