The 64th venice film festival started here wednesday evening with 22 films competing in the official contest. The entrants short-listed for the golden lion include four asian films, two french films, a spanish film and an egyptian film. but british and american pictures and co-productions dominate the list with 12 titles out of 22.
Heading the jury will be top chinese director zhang yimou, who has won two
golden lions - for his 1992 film the story of qiu ju and his 1999 movie not one
less. Filmmakers and celebrities attending the festival will have an unusual
extra category to compete in: the award for "the most secular
film."

