A movie about the life of Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi opened the international film festival in Rome Thursday.

French director Luc Besson arrived at the opening of the film titled “The Lady” with actress Michele Yeoh who portrayed the Burmese pro-democracy icon. The Hong Kong-based actress began her career in martial arts films.

Aung San Suu Kyi did not attend the festival, but she issued a statement for the occasion. She said “concepts such as truth, justice and solidarity cannot be cast off when these are often the only bastions that stand between us and the brutality of power.”

The Nobel Prize laureate was released last November after spending about 14 of the last 20 years in detention.

The film, shown out of competition, focuses on her private life rather than politics. British actor Daniel Thewelis plays Aung San Suu Kyi's husband Michael Aris.

The 15 works competing for the Marcus Aurelius prize will be presented from Friday until November 4.

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 will receive an acting award.

The festival will conclude with a screening of a restored classic movie “Breakfast at Tiffany's” to mark its 50th anniversary.