SEATTLE FILM FESTIVAL OPENS WITH KENNETH BRANAGH'S LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

Kenneth Branagh's Love's Labour's Lost.

The 26th annual Seattle International Film Festival kicked off on May 18 with Shakespeare's romantic comedy Love's Labour's Lost.

The play has been adapted -- updated and set in 1939 -- by director Kenneth Branagh, who stars in the film along with Alicia Silverstone, Nathan Lane, Alessandro Nivola, Adrian Lester, Matthew Lillard and Natascha McElhone. The songs of Cole Porter and Irving Berlin are featured in this bold new musical version of the story in which the King of Navarre and his three best friends swear an oath to give up women for three years while devoting themselves to the study of philosophy. Their will power is sorely tested when the Princess of France along with three beautiful attendants arrive on a diplomatic visit.

The Seattle fest, which has had a distinguished run as the largest U.S. film festival, is taking place over 25 days and will present more than 250 films from 50 countries.

For more information about the Seattle International Film Festival, go to www.seattlefilm.com