Hong Kong film "Godly Detective" will go head-to-head with two other Chinese films -- "Lust, Caution" by Taiwan director Ang Lee, and "The Sun Also Rises" by mainland director Jiang Wen -- in a battle for a Gold Lion at the Venice film awards in Italy.

Director Johnnie To confirmed on Sunday that the film has been supplemented into the main competition section of the 64th Venice International Film Festival.

"It is a pleasant surprise!" Hong Kong media quote Johnnie To as saying.

The director expressed his gratitude for the production crew: "I appreciate all the actors and background staff. Thanks Wai Ka-Fai for writing the script."

Johnnie To also confirmed he will attend the festival together with Wai Ka-Fai, his long-time partner and cast member Lau Ching-Wan.

Meanwhile, the festival announced the same day that two other new titles will also be included in the program.

One of the films is "Disengagement" by the Israeli director Amos Gitai, to be shown in the "Out of Competition" section. It tells the story of family sentiments and stars French actress Juliette Binoche.

The other is "Callas Assoluta" by the French documentary filmmaker Philippe Kohly, commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the death of the world famous soprano Maria Callas. The film will run for the this year's Horizons Documentary Prize.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2007)