MOON LANDING FIRST MAN

SPACE drama "First Man," which looks at the mission of US astronaut Neil Armstrong to become the first man to walk on the moon, will open this year's Venice Film Festival, organisers said on Thursday.

Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle will once again kick off the 11 days of red carpet premiers and parties in the picturesque Italian city later this summer, two years after his critically-acclaimed musical "La La Land" opened in 2016 edition of the world's oldest film festival.

Chazelle reunites with his " La La Land" lead actor Ryan Gosling, who portrays Armstrong, for the movie, which also stars 'The Crown' actress Claire Foy.

Based on the book by James R Hansen, 'First Man' follows Armstrong from 1961 to 1969 as NASA  worked to land a man on the moon.

Commander of the Apollo 11 mission, set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969, famously saying : that  one step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

" It is a very personal, original and  compelling piece of work, " festival director Alberto Barbera said in a statement.

"[The film is] wonderfully unexpected within the context of present day epic films, and a confirmation of the great talent of one of the most important  contemporary directors  of  American cinema ."

Chaelle, 33, said he looked forward to screening the film's world premier at the festival.

"I am humbled by the Venice's invitation and am thrilled to return," Chazelle said." It feels especially poignant  to share this news so close to the  moon landing's anniversary."


The 75th edition of the Venice Film Festival  will run from August 29 to September  8. {Agencies}.