London - Actress Keira Knightley's upcoming flick 'Atonement' has been selected as the opening film at this year's Venice Film Festival.

The 2007 British film based on Ian McEwan's novel by the same name is director Joe Wright's second release.

As for how Wright felt about the honour given to his film, the newcomer insisted that going to the Venice film festival is a dream come true and the feeling is 'extraordinary'.

"Going to the Venice Film Festival is something one dreams of. It is just steeped in history. I keep imagining I'll bump into Sophia Loren," the BBC quoted Wright, as saying.

He however refused to comment on the chances of the film winning major awards this year but insisted that 'opening Venice' is in itself a great honour.

"Opening Venice is a prize in itself," said Wright.

Wright's first film 'Pride and Prejudice' bagged him the 'Best Newcomer' award at BAFTA, and the film was also nominated for four Oscar nominations in 2006 including a best actress nod for Knightley.

The director feels that Knightley has given her best performance ever in the new film.

"She's developing as an actress all the time and I think her performance here is the best thing she has ever done," Wright added.

The 22-year-old actress will reportedly attend the world premiere of the 2007 British film on 29 August.

According to film festival head Marco Muller, this will be the first time that a 'young' director's film will open the film festival.

"For the first time in its history, the opening film is the work of a young director," Muller said.

Muller insisted that Wright's film is so good that it could beat the techniques employed by many acclaimed directors.

"It is a film that, in terms of emotive and visual power, is greater than some of the major films of many acclaimed directors," he added.