Sir Sean Connery Causes Lxg Upset At Venice Film Festival

Actor SIR Sean Connery is at the centre of a row with the organisers of the VENICE FILM FESTIVAL - for deciding to hold his latest film premiere in Prague, Czech Republic instead.

The former BOND star's latest movie, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, was to be the focal point of the Italian festival next week (begs25AUG03), until Connery decided to hold the premiere in Prague, where the movie was filmed.

This decision bars the Venice festival organisers from premiering the film at their event, which has left bosses fuming.

A spokesperson tells British newspaper THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, "We have renounced this film.

"It would have been the highlight of the festival and we are disappointed, but it's his fans who will miss out. They have travelled from all over the world, but now they won't see him or his film."

However, Connery defends his decision by explaining the move is to help the flood-stricken Prague community.

He says, "We made the film there during epic floods that took the lives of almost 100 people. At the time, I met former President Vaclav Havel and promised him that, if the film was any good, I would bring it to Prague."