Director Quentin Tarantino's unique take on the Western gets the red carpet treatment in Rome.
Wild West set revenge tale "Django Unchained" is generating its fair share of Oscar buzz after gaining 5 Golden Globe nods.
Tarantino hoped Italians especially would appreciate his tribute to the 'spaghetti' Western.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR QUENTIN TARANTINO SAYING:
"If it doesn't do well here then we probably suck because it seems like this is the place they would appreciate it. So, fingers crossed. Cross your fingers! "
Actor Jamie Foxx takes the title role of Django - a freed slave, turned bounty hunter in a pre-abolition United States.
Regular Tarantino cast member Samuel L Jackson was also in attendance, along with actress Kerry Washington.
Before the gala screening, Tarantino was given the Rome Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award, with composer Ennio Morricone on hand to bestow the prize.
