Along the edge of the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival this year hangs a giant replica of a wrecking ball that appears to have smashed a huge hole in the wall of the Sala Grande, where the glamorous gala premieres are screened every night. Puzzled onlookers are trying to fathom its meaning. My guess is it’s a symbol of cinema’s ability to break down barriers — a worthy and highbrow explanation fitting for the world’s oldest film festival that champions obscure arthouse films from all over the world that few people ever get to see.

That’s not the case this year, though, with plenty of Hollywood fare for more populist movie tastes. Keira Knightley, Adrien Brody, Bill Murray, Michael Caine, Jude Law, Richard Gere, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett and Johnny Depp are all expected to show up. Festival director Marco Mueller has defended his selection of films, telling us earlier today: ”We don’t select a movie because a certain star plays in it, we select movies because they are beautiful. Full stop.” The 11-day cinema extravaganza starts on Wednesday with “Atonement“, based on Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name. Lights, camera …