Clooney film to open New York fest

NEW YORK, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- George Clooney's star-studded political drama "Good Night, and Good Luck" has been chosen to open the 43rd New York Film Festival.

Clooney co-wrote the screenplay, directed and appears on screen as CBS News producer Fred Friendly.

Set in the 1950s, the film tells the story of journalist Edward R. Murrow's battle against Sen. Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunts, the Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

David Strathairn leads the cast as Murrow, joined by Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Frank Langella, Ray Wise, Grant Heslov and Jeff Daniels.

The festival kicks off Sept. 23 at Lincoln Center. The movie is slated for release in October by Warner Independent Pictures.