A movie about the life of Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will open the international film festival in Rome later this month.

Organizers announced Thursday that the film “The Lady” by French director Luc Besson will open the festival October 27. It will be shown out of competition.

Hong Kong-based actress Michelle Yeoh, who began her career in martial art films, is portraying the pro-democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The movie also stars Daniel Thewelis as her British husband Michael Aris.

Among works competing for prizes are U.S. director Tanya Wexler's “Hysteria” about the invention of the vibrator in Victorian England; “Hotel Lux'' by German director Leander Haussmann; and psycho-thriller “Babycall” by Norwegian director Pal Sletaune.

Hollywood star Richard Gere is to receive the Marc' Aurelio Acting Award.

The festival will conclude November 4 with a screening of a restored classic movie “Breakfast at

Tiffany's” to mark its 50th anniversary.