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British actress Andrea Riseborough, US singer and director Madonna and Australian actress Abbie Cornish pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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British actress Andrea Riseborough, US singer and director Madonna and Australian actress Abbie Cornish pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer Madonna arrives in a boat for the press conference of her movie W.E. at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Domenico Stinellis, Associated Press
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British actor James D'Arcy, US singer and director Madonna and actor Oscar Isaac pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Jonathan Short, Associated Press
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From left actor Oscar Isaac, director Madonna, actresses Andrea Riseborough and Abbie Cornish and actor James D'Arcy arrive for the press conference of the film W.E. at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 Domenico Stinellis, Associated Press
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From left actor Oscar Isaac, director Madonna, actresses Andrea Riseborough and Abbie Cornish and actor James D'Arcy arrive for the press conference of the film W.E. at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 Domenico Stinellis, Associated Press
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US singer Madonna, centre, arrives at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Luigi Costantini, Associated Press
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British actress Andrea Riseborough, US singer and director Madonna and Australian actress Abbie Cornish pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Jonathan Short, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna blows a kiss at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer Madonna, bottom right, arrives at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Luigi Costantini, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna, right, and Australian actress Abbie Cornish arrive at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Jonathan Short, Associated Press
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From left actor Oscar Isaac, British actresses Natalie Dormer and Andrea Riseborough, US singer and director Madonna, Australian actress Abbie Cornish and British actor James D'Arcy pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the V Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna poses at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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From left British actor James D'Arcy, US singer and director Madonna AND actor Oscar Isaac pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna poses at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Jonathan Short, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna poses at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer Madonna, centre right, arrives at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Luigi Costantini, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna poses at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna blows a kiss at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
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US singer and director Madonna poses at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Jonathan Short, Associated Press
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From left British actor James D'Arcy, US singer and director Madonna AND actor Oscar Isaac pose at the photo call for the film W.E. during the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Joel Ryan, Associated Press
By Associated Press

VENICE, Italy — Madonna says the success of the Oscar-winning "The King's Speech" gives audiences a point of reference for her new film, "W.E."

Madonna's sophmore directorial effort tells the story of Wallis Simpson, the two-time American divorcee for whom Britain's King Edward XVI abdicated his throne in 1936. It makes its world premiere out of competition Thursday at the Venice Film Festival.

Madonna says the two films examine the same historic period from distinct points of view. She also told a news conference that she identifies with Simpson, because fame often reduces celebrities "to a soundbite."

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Madonna said she received support for the project from both her two director ex-husbands, Sean Penn and Guy Ritchie.

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