Entertainment News Roundup: Woody Allen hails 'very lucky life' as he presents 50th film; Burning Man festival exodus begins through drying mud and more

"Tatami", a tense thriller centred on a world judo championship, got its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the weekend, receiving a standing ovation. Woody Allen hails 'very lucky life' as he presents 50th film U.S. director Woody Allen presented his 50th film to the Venice Film Festival on Monday, telling reporters he had had a "very, very lucky life", making no reference to the scandals that have dogged his latter years.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Elvis was 'the love of my life', Priscilla tells Venice

Elvis Presley's former wife Priscilla said the legendary rock star had been the love of her life, despite eventually leaving him, as a film about their turbulent relationship hit the Venice Film Festival. "Priscilla", directed by Sofia Coppola, is based on her 1985 autobiography, "Elvis and Me", depicting her roller-coaster life with one of the most famous figures of the 20th century.

Japan's Hamaguchi revives himself with dark nature film

Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi felt he needed a break after promoting two back-to-back hits, so he vanished into the Japanese countryside to make a new movie, "Evil Does Not Exist", which premiered at Venice on Monday. Hamaguchi won an Oscar for best international film with "Drive My Car" in 2022 and took the Grand Jury Prize at the 2021 Berlin Film Festival with his romantic drama "Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy", significantly boosting his international profile.

Israeli-Iranian movie filmed undercover to avoid suspicion

The first production co-directed by Iranian and Israeli filmmakers had to be shot in secret to prevent possible interference by Tehran, directors Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv told Reuters on Sunday. "Tatami", a tense thriller centred on a world judo championship, got its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the weekend, receiving a standing ovation.

Woody Allen hails 'very lucky life' as he presents 50th film

U.S. director Woody Allen presented his 50th film to the Venice Film Festival on Monday, telling reporters he had had a "very, very lucky life", making no reference to the scandals that have dogged his latter years. "I have had nothing but good fortune and I hope it holds out, although obviously it is early this afternoon," he told reporters ahead of the premiere of his first French-language film "Coup de Chance".

Burning Man festival exodus begins through drying mud

Thousands of Burning Man attendees readied to make their "exodus" on Monday as the counter-culture arts festival in the Nevada desert ends in a sea of drying mud instead of a party around its flaming effigy namesake. Rain over the weekend turned the once hard-packed ground to pudding. One person died at the event in the Black Rock Desert, authorities said on Sunday, providing few details. An investigation is underway.