The Venice Film Festival has finalised the competition line up, adding Essential Killing by Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski with the Biennale saying the film will now be “finished in time for Venice.”

The picture is a thriller, apparently almost entirely void of dialogue. It stars Vincent Gallo, who as a director will compete again Skolimowski for the Golden Lion with his film Promises Written In Water, also in competition. French actress Emmanuelle Seigner also stars.

The film is a Polish/Irish/Norwegian/Hungarian co-production with HanWay Films handling international sales.

Skolimowski has brought his works to various Venice sections over the years including the main competition in 1985 when his film The Lightship with Robert Duvall took the Special Jury Prize. He returned to competition with Ferdydurke in 1991.

In a year chock full of young directors – previously to the addition of this iconic Eastern European director, the average age for in competition directors was Venice’s youngers at 47 years of age. Born in 1938, Skolimowski, likely raises the age bar a bit.

There are now 23 films in competition. Venice also saves space for a surprise competition title, to be announced during the festival.

Venice runs from September 1-11.

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