Organisers unveiled a programme packed full of strong independent and arthouse productions on Thursday, but lacking major Hollywood studio support -- a pattern seen at other European festivals this year.A total of 20 films will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion top award over the September 2-12 festival, including "Primetime" by Lance Oppenheim about an American TV show that sought to expose paedophiles. It stars Pattinson, fresh from his acclaimed performance as the villainous Antinous in current box-office champion "The Odyssey"."This film is the true story of the unscrupulous host of a disturbing reality show by NBC," Venice festival director Alberto Barbera told reporters about "Primetime".Other in-competition highlights include "Wild Horse Nine", a dark comedy by Ireland's Martin McDonagh starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, as well as "Bunker" by Florian Zeller featuring real-life Spanish power couple Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz.As previously announced, the competition will open with "Ink", a film about press baron Rupert Murdoch's transformation of the British media by "Trainspotting" director Danny Boyle.The latest movie from German veteran Werner Herzog -- "Bucking Fastard", featuring sisters Kate Mara and Rooney Mara -- will also be in the running for the Golden Lion.Two of Asia's most acclaimed filmmakers, Japan's Hirokazu Koreeda ("Shoplifters") and South Korea's Lee Chang-dong ("Burning"), are also in the line-up.Hollywood ghostingHollywood and US streaming giants Netflix and Amazon chose Venice to host a series of big-budget films last year, but they have mostly steered clear this year.European festivals typically rely on Hollywood to provide a dose of mass-market entertainment alongside the sometimes edgy independent cinema that forms the core of their programmes.
Venice film festival promises Pattinson, Oasis and Musk doc
British star Robert Pattinson's latest film, Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, as well as a four-hour documentary about Elon Musk are all set to feature at the Venice Film Festival this year in…










