Clooney promotes 'Up in the Air' at Rome film fest

[October 17, 2009]  ROME (AP) -- George Clooney was appearing at the Rome Film Festival to promote his comic drama "Up in the Air," which is in competition at the event.

The film received warm applause at a press screening on Saturday.

"Up in the Air" tells the story of a man, Ryan Bingham, on a mission to rack up a million frequent-flyer miles as he travels across America as a corpotate downsizer.

Vera Farmiga plays his love interest, who tests his desire to live an isolated life on the road.

The movie is director Jason Reitman's follow-up to "Juno," which won in Rome in 2007 and went on to become a best-picure nominee at the Oscars.

The Rome festival runs through Oct. 22.

[Associated Press]

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