HONG KONG, KOREA, JAPAN...VENICE!

From Hong Kong: they're holding fancy receptions to celebrate the fact that Tsui Hark's SEVEN SWORDS and Peter Chan's PERHAPS LOVE are the opening and closing films of the Venice Film Festival.

From Japan: Takeshi Kitano's TAKESHIS' is the "surprise last minute addition" to the Venice Film Festival and while Kitano says "Today I saw the film again and it's terrible." he's taken home the Golden Lion and the "Best Director" awards from Venice before, so he may do it again, given the rapturous reception it's receiving.

From Korea: Park Chan-Wook's SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE received a 5 minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.

Yep. Tuesday morning. Asian films still rule the world.