French films lead Montreal line-up

The festival is among the most prestigious in global cinema and runs between 22 August and 2 September.

Four of the five French films are international co-productions, and they are up against four Spanish films, three Italian and three German movies, according to Screen Daily.

Although only 26 films are in competition, a total of 406 films from 75 countries will be exhibited, including 216 feature films, 159 short films, and 33 medium-length films.

One of the most eagerly-awaited films in competition will be the Canadian and French co-production, La Turbulence Des Fluides.

Festival opener

The film centres on a seismologist who investigates a small town where unseen forces have stopped the tide coming in and out.

It was directed by Manon Briand, from Quebec, and will open the festival.

And Speak To Me Of Love (Parlez-Moi D¿amour), directed by Sophie Marceau, also known for her acting, will also be in competition.

The competition line-up includes:

• In Nowhereland (Turkey/Germany 2001), directed by Tayfun Pirselimoglu

• The War (Russia 2002), directed by Alexei Balabanov

• The Stoneraft (Netherlands/Spain 2002), directed by George Sluizer

• The Council Of Egypt (Italy/France/Hungary 2001), directed by Emidio Greco

• The Lighthouse Keeper's Son (Croatia/Austria 2002), directed by Vicko Ruic

• The Best Day Of My Life (Italy 2002), directed by Cristina Comencini

• The Deserted Station (Iran 2002), directed by Alireza Raisian

• Casomai (Italy 2002), directed by Alessandro D'Alatri

• My First Miracle (Germany 2002), directed by Anne Wild

• I Am Dina (Norway/Denmark/Sweden/Germany/France 2002), directed by Ole Bornedal

• Inochi (Japan 2002), directed by Tetsuo Shinohara

• Step By Step (Belgium/Luxembourg 2002), directed by Philippe Blasband

• O Delfim (Portugal/France 2002 ), directed by Fernando Lopes

• Salome (Spain 2002), directed by Carlos Saura

• Speak To Me Of Love (France 2002), directed by Sophie Marceau

• Peau D'ange (France 2002), directed by Vincent Perez

• La Turbulence Des Fluides (Canada/France 2002), directed by Manon Briand

• The Last Train (Uruguay/Spain/Argentina 2002), directed by Diego Arsuaga

• Carol's Journey (Spain 2001), directed by Imanol Uribe

• Blue Car (US 2002), directed by Karen Moncrieff

• Igby Goes Down (US 2002), directed by Burr Steers

• Heavenly Grassland (China 2002), directed by Saifu Mailisi

• I'm The Father (Germany 2002), directed by Dani Levy

• Leaving Metropolis (Canada 2002), directed by Brad Fraser

• Rapsodie Chilienne (Chile 2002), directed by Raul Ruiz

• On The Other Side Of The Bridge (China/Austria 2002), directed by Hu Mei