AceShowbiz -

Being picked out of the numerous upcoming British features, Working Titles' drama "Atonement" has been chosen to be the opening movie for the 64th annual Venice Film Festival as the event takes its flight on August 29 this year, the organizers announced Friday, June 15.

The selection thereby fits the festival's artistic director Marco Mueller's recent statement assuring English-language productions will be featured heavily at this year's event, which will run up to September 8. It is also proves Mueller's vow to focus on innovative films from up-and-coming filmmakers as director Joe Wright has only one previous feature under his belt that is 2005's "Pride and Prejudice."

A touching tale which covers the struggles of class, war, and emotional truth, "Atonement" is an adaptation of Ian McEwan's Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name telling the story of Briony Tallis who attempts to atone for her actions in accusing her older sister's boyfriend of committing an assault to her cousin. Pic is scheduled for a September 14 release in the U.K. and Ireland while being set to come up in the U.S. on December 7 under Focus Features banner.