The film by "City of God" director Fernando Meirelles kicks off a two-week showcase of 300 features and shorts from 55 countries. Stars expected on the red carpet include Seth Rogen, Michael Fassbender, Ralph Fiennes and George Clooney.

Founded in 1957, the festival has recently tried to carve out a place on the international festival calendar, with bigger pictures and more glittering stars. The festival runs Wednesday to Oct. 27, and closes with Terence Davies' "Deep Blue Sea," featuring Weisz, Tom Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale in a postwar love triangle.