Venice star-studded film fest set to open under heightened security

By Mike Davidson and Agnieszka Flak VENICE (Reuters) - A musical with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Jude Law as a chain smoking pope and Mel Gibson's come back with a war drama are all tipped as must-sees at the Venice film festival which opens its 73rd edition on the Lido under heightened security on Wednesday. Top Hollywood talent and auteur directors will be vying for the Golden Lion at the world's oldest film festival which, after a period in the doldrums, is again seen as a launch pad for the industry's award season after premiering Academy winners in its last three editions. Space drama "Gravity", comedy "Birdman" and last year's clergy sex abuse film "Spotlight" secured Oscars after premiering in Venice and those wins have helped attract talent to this year's festival, said artistic director Alberto Barbera.