Nice Work If You Can Get It: Stars At The Venice Film Festival

The main difference between the Venice Film Festival and, say, Cannes or Sundance? Instead of arriving by limousine, celebrities arrive to their premieres in Gondolas. Besides that, it's just another star-studded film festival with killer fashion and insane parties every night. Eva Mendes, Nicholas Cage (look at the picture at left: don't they look so bummed to be there?) and Viggo Moretensen are just a few of the celebrities forced to spend a week of their life promoting movies in one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Salman Rushdie took some time out of his busy schedule of being one of the most famous writers in the world to attend the premiere of "Francesca", along with a date.

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We're only a few days into the festival, and have already seen some pretty spectacular gowns, juxtaposed against some pretty spectacular scenery.  Click below for our Official Selection (heh.) of Venice Film Festival pictures.--

Monica Birladeanu                       Salman Rushdie and his date (Padma 2.0?) at premiere of Francesca

Viggo Mortensen Kodi Smit Mcphee, on their way to the premiere of The Road. This photo, by the way, could be titled "Men: An Evolution In Hand Gestures". Kodi, who must be, what, ten? Goes for Bunny Ears, while Viggo opts for the ever-so-slightly more grown up "Rock On" gesture.

Viggo Mortensen Kodi Smit Mcphee Joe Penhall John Hillcoat

Gabriel Garko, Laura Torrisi          The Cast of Le Ombre Rosse

Flavio Parenti                                Le Ombre Rosse Cast

Franca Sozzani Alain Elkann              Laura Torrisi

John Sayles Angela Ismailos Todd Haynes, three directors being honored this year.