The Venice film festival is taking aim at capitalism this year, with premieres of Michael Moore's documentary on the U.S. economic meltdown and a drama starring Matt Damon as the whistleblower of a corrupt corporation. The 66th annual event begins on Wednesday with many film critics calling it one of the strongest line-ups in recent years.

"Capitalism: A Love Story," in competition at the annual cinema showcase, sees Michael Moore take on the corporate bosses with his trademark combative style, bringing the hot topic of economic gloom to the picturesque Lido waterfront.

And "The Informant!," directed by Steven Soderbergh and featuring Matt Damon as a real-life crooked executive who exposed his company's price-fixing tactics, will be screened outside of competition.

The head of this year's jury is Ang Lee, who was previously awarded Golden Lions for "Brokeback Mountain" and "Lust, Caution".