Kate Winslet returns to the spotlight at Venice

Kate Winslet returns to the spotlight at Venice

Journalists and photographers from all over the world have gathered in Venice for the annual film festival to see the movies of tomorrow. But for one star in attendance, her recent holiday may prove a far more interesting story than some of the film plotlines. Kate Winslet made her first public appearance since escaping the fire on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island at the Venice Film Festival.

Winslet had been holidaying on the private Caribbean hideaway when lightning struck it during a tropical hurricane. In the ensuing chaos, the Oscar winner managed to rescue Branson’s elderly mother Eve, 90, as well as her own children Mia and Joe.

But after her heroic behaviour two weeks ago, it was back to the day job for Winslet as she promoted her new film Carnage. Dressed in a fitted black dress and beige blazer, Winslet joined co-star John C Reilly and the film’s scriptwriter Yasmina Reza at the lunchtime photocall. Later she dressed up in designer couture for the film’s premiere.

The film, directed by controversial director Roman Polanski, tells the story of two sets of parents who meet up to discuss their children who have been fighting at school.

The Brit’s appearance at the festival is the first time she’s been set since she was photographed hugging Eve against the backdrop of ruined Necker.

Winslet had been holidaying with her children and model boyfriend Louis Dowler when the inferno broke out. The actress said last week: ‘‘I’m just so glad that everyone is safe. And this very easily could not have been the case. will never forget Richard placing his arms around both my children as we were watching the flames, and saying, “At the end of the day, what you realise is that all that matters is the people that you love. Everything else is just stuff. And none of that stuff matters.”‘

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