(Cover) - EN Movies - George Clooney's movie The Ides of March will open the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival.

The 50-year-old actor has also enjoyed success as a moviemaker with films such as Good Night, and Good Luck in 2005, and his latest directorial offering The Ides of March will be shown at the opening of Italy's prestigious film ceremony.

The Venice Film Festival will this year run from August 31 to September 10, and George's drama will be shown on the first day, Deadline has revealed.

The movie has been adapted from the Beau Willimon play Farragut North, and sees George portraying Governor Mike Morris a presidential candidate. Other stars of the movie, set for release internationally in October, include Ryan Gosling as a media tycoon and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a campaign manager. Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood also have roles in the picture, which is set during the campaign for Democratic nomination. (C) Cover Media