A scene of Jia Zhangke's new documentary Useless. [Photo: sina.com.cn]

Venice Film Festival's favorite Chinese director, Jia Zhangke, will take his newly-finished documentary to compete for this year's Horizons Documentary Prize.

The event's organizer will announce all nominations on Thursday. However, the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post says Jia Zhangke has been informed that Useless was named an official contender, citing sources close to the director.

The film, finished earlier this month, focuses on Chinese fashion designer Ma Ke and her clothing line Useless. Ma Ke reportedly will appear at the festival to show her support.

Jia Zhangke was the winner of last year's Golden Lion award, the festival's highest prize, for Still Life.

The upcoming festival, opening on August 29, will feature heavy Chinese involvement. Besides Zhang Yimou heading the all-director jury, actor Jiang Wen is eyeing the Golden Lion for his third directorial work The Sun Also Rises. Blood Brothers, with John Woo as its supervisor, has been selected to close the festival on September 8.

Oscar-winning director Ang Lee is also likely to present his new art-house work Lust, Caution, which stars Hong Kong veteran Tony Leung and Chinese American musician Lee-Hom Wang.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 26, 2007)