Taking place for the 43rd time (14 –26, 2005), the VIENNALE will present 291 films from 48 countries. The VIENNALE 2005 will open with the gala screening of Woody Allen’s Match Point. (following its sensational premiere at Cannes. A public screening of the program will take place at the Gartenbau at 11pm. The VIENNALE closing gala on Wednesday, October 26, 8.30pm will feature the screening of George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck – a highlight from this year’s Venice Film Festival...

The big event of the week was the one day visit August 8 of Hollywood actress and Oscar bearer Susan Sarandon. Susan gave a so-called “master class” which is a recently coined festival term to glorify a guest appearance in which a famous film personality talks more or less at random for an hour or two to a gathering of professional admirers. The Italians have a special soft spot for Ms. Sarandon as she was once married to an Italian singer and has two children by him. The actrice who is...