Downsizing opens Venice fest to applause

(ANSA) - Venice, August 31 - The opening film of the 74th Venice Film Festival, Alexander Payne's Downsizing, was met with warm applause Wednesday night.
    The audience hailed the American director and the cast, led by Matt Damon.
    Italian President Sergio Mattarella was among the spectators.
    The Guardian called the film a "miniature masterpiece".
    "Damon stars as a man who shrinks down to the height of five inches in Payne's sci-fi comedy, a winningly inventive tale of masculinity in crisis", it said.
    photo: from left, Kristen Wiig, Damon, Hong Chau, Payne