Filmmaker Michael Moore, centre, tries to speak to traders outside the New York Stock Exchange for his documentary Capitalism: A Love Story. Filmmaker Michael Moore, centre, tries to speak to traders outside the New York Stock Exchange for his documentary Capitalism: A Love Story. (Mary Altaffer/Associated Press)

Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story and John Hillcoat's The Road are among 23 films that will vie for the Golden Lion at this year's Venice Film Festival.

Organizers announced a lineup for the festival Thursday that includes six American films and four from Italy and France.

In Capitalism, Moore examines the roots of the economic crisis in the U.S.

The Road, starring Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen, is an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel set in a post-apocalyptic world.

Actor Charlize Theron, shown July 21, is to appear in The Road. Actor Charlize Theron, shown July 21, is to appear in The Road. (Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

Todd Solondz, the indie filmmaker famous for his dark portraits of American life in Welcome to the Dollhouse and Happiness, is back with Life During Wartime, described as a black comedy.

Venice will feature world premieres of two much-anticipated pictures: The Men Who Stare At Goats, starring George Clooney, and The Informant!, with Matt Damon, directed by Stephen Soderbergh. Both screen out of competition.

The films in contention for the Golden Lion include:

  • Soul Kitchen by Fatih Akin, Germany.
  • Yi ngoi (Accident) by Cheang Pou- Soi, China/Hong Kong.
  • Persecution by Patrice Chereau, France.
  • White Material by Claire Denis, France.
  • A Single Man by Tom Ford, a Gucci designer making his directorial debut, U.S.
  • Bad Lieutenant: Port Of New Orleans, by Werner Herzog, U.S.
  • El Mosafer (The Traveller) by Ahmed Maher of Egypt.
  • Zanan-e-bedun-e mardan (Women Without Men) by Shirin Neshat, Iran/Germany.

Among the stars who could be on the red carpet are Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jared Leto and Diane Kruger.

The opening film, previously announced, is Baaria, directed by Italy's Giuseppe Tornatore, which follows three generations in his hometown of Bagheria in Sicily.

The jury is to be headed by filmmaker Ang Lee, who has twice won the Golden Lion.

The festival includes a spotlight on John Lasseter and the filmmakers of Pixar.

Toy Story 3D will screen out of competition at the festival and a new 3D version of Toy Story 2 will make its debut.

The festival runs from Sept. 2-12.