Norton will take part in public conversation at Rome Film Fest.

Edward Norton’s new drama, Motherless Brooklyn, will be the opening night film at the 2019 Rome Film Fest, which takes place from 17-27 October at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.

Norton, who wrote, directed, produced and stars in the film, will also take part in a Close Encounter on-stage conversation exploring his career, during the 14th edition of Rome's annual film festival.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, the movie follows Lionel Essrog (played by Norton), a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome, as he ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (played by Bruce Willis).

“Motherless Brooklyn is a magnificent noir, in the tradition of the finest classic cinema, and a compelling adaptation of the excellent novel by Jonathan Lethem,” said the festival's artistic director Antonio Monda.

The stellar ensemble cast of the film, which will be released internationally from 31 October, includes Bobby Cannavale, Alec Baldwin and Willem Dafoe.

Other highlights of this year's Rome Film Fest include the screening of The Irishman, directed by Martin Scorsese, and the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Bill Murray.

For more details of the festival programme see Rome Film Fest website.