Movies Clooney and Pitt star at Venice Film Festival 27/08/08 19:56 CET

Brad Pitt and George Clooney; for at least half the world it doesn’t come much better, and the producers of their latest movie will be hoping the magic continues to work. The world’s biggest stars are in Italy, enjoying the limelight as the Venice Film Festival launched its 2008 season.

Clooney and Pitt star in a spy farce from the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan. It is one of five American films in the festival which are seen as independent productions, as opposed to big studio releases. But the lack of top titles does not bother festival bosses.

“American cinema is very much at the centre of the programme, but we will continue to defend the idea of giving space for very special films from Europe, Asia and Africa to be seen,” said festival director Marco Mueller.

“Burn After Reading” is not in the official competition, but the Coen brothers hope it will continue their winning streak, after their four Oscars for “No Country for Old Men.”