Director Terry Gilliam’s latest film The Zero Theorem is poised to have its world premiere later today at the Venice Film Festival, and we’ve got a couple of goodies to mark the occasion.  For those who are unfamiliar with the film, it stars Christoph Waltz as Qohen Leth, a computer hacker who searches for the meaning of life while being distracted by Management (Matt Damon in a minor role), a shadowy figure from an Orwellian corporation.  In addition to the pic’s first official clip, we also have an exclusive image to share with our readers.

Hit the jump to check out the clip and image, along with an official director’s statement about the pic from Gilliam.  The film also stars David Thewlis, Tilda Swinton, Melanie Thierry, Lucas Hedges, Ben Whishaw, and Peter Stormare.  The Zero Theorem will debut at the Venice Film Festival this fall and will hit theaters sometime in 2014.

Here’s the director’s statement from Gilliam:

When I made Brazil in 1984, I was trying to paint a picture of the world I thought we were living in then.  The Zero Theorem is a glimpse of the world I think we are living in now.

Pat Rushin's script intrigued me with the many pertinent questions raised in his funny, philosophic, and touching tale.

For example: What gives meaning to our lives, brings us happiness? Can we ever find solitude in an increasingly connected, constricted world? Is that world under control or simply chaotic?

We’ve tried to make a film that is honest, funny, beautiful, smart and surprising; a simple film about a complex modern man waiting for a call to give meaning to his life; about inescapable relationships and the longing for love; peopled with captivating characters, mouthfuls of wise and witty dialogue; raising questions without offering easy answers.  Hopefully, it's unlike any film you have seen recently; no zombies, no caped crusaders, no aliens or gigantic explosions.  Actually, I might have lied about that last item.

Having not worked with a budget this small for several decades, I was forced to work fast and instinctively, pressured only by the lack of time and money.  We relied on the freedom to spin on a dime, to make outrageous creative leaps. The results surprised even me.  I'm proud to have been part of The Zero Theorem.

Terry Gilliam