Hollywood legend Orson Welles commemorated at 72nd Venice Int'l Film Festival

One of the most successful figures in Hollywood history, Orson Welles, is being commemorated at the ongoing 72nd Venice International Film Festival for the centennial of his birth.

Born on May 6, 1915, in Wisconsin, the American actor-director is best known for directing Citizen Kane, which won him an academy award for original screenplay writing. He is also known for a series of Shakespeare adaptations.

The tribute to Welles began on Sept. 1, the day before the grand opening of the festival, with the screening of two his masterpieces The Merchant of Venice (1969) and Othello (1951). It turned out to be such a great success that the festival decided to add two extra screenings on Sept. 3 and 11.

The original film stock of Welles' The Merchant of Venice was believed to have been stolen before making an official premiere, with only fragments of the film preserved in archives and museums in Italy, France and Germany.

However, the legendary film was able to make its long due premiere in Venice after restoration by experts from Cinemazero and Filmmuseum Munchen using a half-edited copy, mixed recordings from theater performances, and the recently-found script composed by Welles.

The other film, an Italian version of Othello, was in the line-up of the Venice International Film Festival in 1951, but was eventually withdrawn from the competition as Welles said the copy was not ready.

Fans can also get a glimpse of Welles' research effort into Shakespeare's works by checking out the exhibition Shakespeare & Cigars, which showcases 12 studies for Shakespearean characters, painted by Welles on cigar boxes.

The 72nd edition of the Venice International Film Festival kicked off on Sept. 2 in the island of Lido, with 21 films competing for the Golden Lion award and 15 making world premieres. Endit