Tim Blake Nelson’s ‘The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,’ Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘The Debut’ Among Rome Film Festival Standout Titles

Tim Blake Nelson’s prison saga “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd,” Diego Luna’s migration drama “Ashes,” Boots Riley’s anticapitalist satire “I Love Boosters,” and Jesse Eisenberg’s latest film “The Debut” are among standout international titles that will launch into Italy at the upcoming Rome Film Festival.

As previously announced, the 21st edition of the fest – which has a large Italian cinema component and will run Oct. 13-25 in the Italian capital – will open with “Perfect Strangers” director Paolo Genovese’s latest concept movie “Il Rumore Delle Cose Nuove” about three Milanese couples whose lives become intertwined by an unexpected event.

Though most non-Italian titles screening in Rome have previously surfaced on the festival circuit, the lineup does include a smattering of world premieres. These include Alexandre Castagnetti’s contemporary, French-language reimagining of 19th century classic “The Phantom of the Opera” starring Deva Cassel, Julien De Saint-Jean, and Romain Duris; and Bille August’s long-gestating post-second World War drama “Me, You” with Tim Roth, Sonia Ammar and Laura Morante.

As previously announced, Javier Bardem will be honored with a lifetime achievement award. The Oscar-winning actor will present a screening of Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beloved” (“El ser querido”) that is being showcased in the event’s best of the fests section.

That section also includes French epic “De Gaulle,” directed by Antonin Baudry, that premiered out of competition at Cannes; Simon Stone-directed “Elsinore,” the true story of Ian Charleson, the Scottish “Chariots of Fire” star who played Hamlet at London’s National Theatre as AIDS was quietly taking his life; Fatih Akin’s “Ghost Song” that opened San Sebastian; and Peter Farrelly’s crowdpleaser “I Play Rocky” about the making of the classic 1976 sports drama.

Also, as previously announced, Susan Sarandon will be honored by the Rome Film Festival’s independently run Alice in the City sidebar, which is dedicated to films for children and youth.

Sarandon will be attending the Eternal City fest to promote the international launch of “Silicon Valley” star Zach Woods’ feature film debut “The Accompanist,” in which she stars; and to receive the event’s Womenlands Excellence Award dedicated to outstanding Italian and international women who distinguish themselves in the worlds of culture, entertainment and activism.

British producer Tessa Ross, co-CEO of London-based House Productions, whose credits include “Conclave” and, more recently, Danny Boyle’s “Ink” will receive the fest’s industry lifetime achievement award.