Quebec director Louis Belanger's crime-spree tale Route 132 will kick off the 2010 edition of the Montreal World Film Festival.
The 12-day event, which starts Aug. 26, will showcase 430 films from 80 countries, organizers announced Tuesday.
The festival will close with the period drama The Princess of Montpensier, from French director Bertrand Tavernier.
Belanger's offering is one of 20 films and 16 shorts from 24 countries that will be in official competition. American films competing include Twelve Thirty, the story of a young man caught up in his girlfriend's dysfunctional family, and Carl Colpaert's The Land of the Astronauts, featuring David Arquette as a down-on-his-luck composer.
Other offerings include French director Jean Becker's My Afternoons With Marguerite, starring Gerard Depardieu, and acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou's A Woman, A Gun and a Noodle Shop, which has been described as a remake of the Coen Brothers' double-cross yarn Blood Simple.
Festival organizers also claim some novelties among the selection of films, including new takes on a number of historical figures include King Henry IV, revolutionary Che Guevara and Chinese philosopher Confucius. In addition, the fest will feature a documentary called The Truth About Dracula.
France is strongly represented with several films, including "Three-Way Wedding," starring Julie Depardieu, whose father Gerard is being honoured at the festival with an evening where he will discuss his life and career.
Japan, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Poland and Russia are among the other countries that also have entries. Celebrated Danish director Bille August will head the festival jury.
Tribute will also be paid to French actress Nathalie Baye, who has worked with such directors as Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut.
As well, Stefania Sandrelli, one of the legends of the modern Italian cinema, will be honoured at the festival and present Christine, Christina, which marks her directorial debut. She will also be awarded the Grand Prize of the Americas for lifetime achievement.
A tribute is also planned for Iranian director Jafar Panahi.
The festival has been dedicated to Quebec legend Gilles Carle, who was active with the event for many years. He died in February 2009.
Single tickets for the festival cost $10 but there are also packages for groups of tickets ranging from $65 for 10 to a Cinephile Card costing $250.