Whit Stillman's Damsels In Distress to close Venice

Damsels is the fourth feature from the director (pictured) whose breakout 1990 feature Metropolitan won recognition at Sundance and earned an Oscar nomination for best screenplay.

The story focuses on three women as they set out to revolutionise life at a grungy American University and follows their romantic hook-ups with a series of young men who threaten to break up the girls’ friendship and peace of mind.

The comedy stars Greta Gerwig (currently shooting Woody Allen’s Rome-set project Bop Decameron). The film also features Adam Brody as well as Carrie MacLemore, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Analeigh Tipton, Hugo Becker, Ryan Metcalf nand Billy Magnussen.

Venice organisers call the film a continuation of Stillman’s “highly personal journey into the world of American youth.” In addition to Metropolitan, Stillman directed Barcelona and The Last Days Of Disco.

Damsels is being brought to the Lido by Sony Pictures Classics and is a Westerly Film Production.

In another Biennale announcement, the seventh feature in competition in the Controcampo Italiano section is the psychological science fiction story L’Arrivo Di Wang directed and produced by the Manetti Bros (Zora The Vampire).

Their new film focuses on a Chinese interpreter summoned for a special assignment. The film is produced in collaboration with Rai Cinema, Dania Film, Pepito Produzioni and Surf Film.

The full line-up of the Venice Film Festival will be announced in Rome on Thursday.