BEIJING, Sept. 3 -- The Venice film festival opened Wednesday with Italian movie "Baaria," an epic Sicilian drama taking in fascism, World War II and communism and billed as one of the country's biggest movies ever.

Workers give the final touches to the front entrance of the Cinema Palace in Venice August 31, 2009. The 66th Venice Film Festival will take place from September 2 to September 12, 2009

Organizers hope director Giuseppe Tornatore's entry wins over audiences after a series of Italian disappointments in recent years, although it is Hollywood which looks set to grab most of the headlines during the 11-day cinema showcase.

    The world's oldest film festival, which runs from yesterday to Sept. 12, has succeeded in luring a string of big names to the sun-drenched Lido waterfront this year as it fights to compete with rival competitions around the world.

    Matt Damon appears in "The Informant!," in which he plays a crooked company whistleblower, and Michael Moore brings "Capitalism: A Love Story," a documentary attacking corporate greed and analyzing the recession.

    They are expected to be joined on the red carpet by Nicolas Cage, George Clooney, Oliver Stone, Charlize Theron, Eva Mendes, Richard Gere and Sylvester Stallone among others.