Venice looks to open 'Eyes'

Fest to include Kubrick tribute

By DAVID ROONEY

ROME -- Recently appointed Venice Intl. Film Festival director Alberto Barbera is negotiating with Warner Bros. to open this fall's 56th edition with Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut" as part of a special tribute to the director, who died in London on Sunday.

While in Los Angeles earlier this month for the American Film Market and to touch base with the majors, the new fest topper approached Warner's international distribution chief Edward Frumkes about kicking off the Sept. 1-11 event with the European premiere of Kubrick's eagerly awaited drama about sexual obsession.

Because of Kubrick's death, Barbera now wishes to transform the fest's opening night into an event honoring the man he described as "one of the great masters of contemporary cinema."

The final decision regarding a Lido bow rests with senior Warner brass and Kubrick's family.

"Twenty-eight years ago, we took 'A Clockwork Orange' to Venice, and two years ago, we did a complete retrospective of his works with the festival, so if they want to approach us about 'Eyes Wide Shut,' it would be churlish not to talk to them," said Julian Senior, WB's senior VP, European advertising and publicity.

Senior categorically ruled out any possibility of a world premiere in Cannes, however, as the film, though finished, is undergoing technical fine-tuning and might not be ready in time.

In separate Venice news, Barbera confirmed the first two titles secured for competition this fall are leading Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami's "A Special Ceremony" and French maverick Philippe Garrel's "Le Vent de la Nuit," starring Catherine Deneuve.

(Adam Dawtrey in London contributed to this report.)