Venice film fest

George Clooney, Madonna and Al Pacino will grace the red carpet at this year's Venice International Film Festival but director Roman Polanski is staying away due to fear of extradition*, organizers said on Thursday.

Twenty-two films － all world premieres － will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award including an adaptation of manga* classic "Himizu" by celebrated Japanese director Sion Sono.

Clooney's fourth film, "The Ides of March," will open the 68th edition of the festival.

U.K. albums chart

"Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse shot back to the top of the British albums chart on Sunday, a week after the troubled singer died at the age of 27.

Winehouse, famous for her distinctive soul songs, struggled with drinking and drug problems throughout much of her career. The cause of her death has not yet been determined as officials await results of toxicology tests.

U2 documentary

The Toronto film festival will open this year with a documentary about Irish rockers U2, and will see world premieres of new works by Luc Besson and Francis Ford Coppola.

The festival, which runs from September 8 to 18, will also feature the North American premieres of films by Pedro Almodovar, Nanni Moretti, George Clooney and Madonna.

Wang Xiaoshuai's new film

Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai's latest film "11 Flowers" will debut at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from September 8 to 18.

The film, set in the mid-1970s, is about the consequences which unfold* after an 11-year-old boy witnesses a murder. The cast includes Qiao Renliang, Yan Ni, Wang Jingchun and Liu Wenqing.

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