This year's 62nd Venice Film Festival opened with Tsui Hark's colossal movie Seven Swords (Qi jian), followed by fireworks, marking the beginning of this surreal star studded event.Under intense heat and hype were the crème de la crème of today's movie industry, mingling with filmmakers from all walks of life.

Amongst those in competition for the Leone D'Oro (Golden Lion award) were Terry Gilliam's The Brothers Grimm, John Madden's Proof, John Turturro's Romance & Cigarettes, and Abel Ferrara's Mary. But it was Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain that won, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as cowboy lovers in Texas. George Clooney and Grant Heslov picked up the Osella for Best Screenplay for Good Night, and Good Luck., as did protagonist David Strathairn for Best Actor. Philippe Garrel took Best Director for Les Amants réguliers.

Among the glitz and prestige, Ireland was represented by Perry Ogden's Pavee Lackeen, which soaked up a great deal of response from the hardnosed journalists during critic's week, who fell for its refined charm.

Talents to look out for are Russian director Aleksey Fedortchenko, who won Best Documentary for Pervye na lune (The First on the Moon) and Lech Kowalski for East of Paradise, collecting the Horizons Prize.

There was a great acknowledgement in eastern cinema, dedicating areas for festival to Asian and Japanese films.

The Golden Lion achievement award went to Japan's own Walt Disney, Miyazaki Hayao.

Through high security and never ending queues this festival was worthy of the struggle and patience you would expect from an Italian saint. Then again one is graced with the company of Hollywood's elite, superficial and super-powerful.

Vittoria Colonna