Kidman plays a janitor with a troubled past

The Oscar-winning pair star in The Human Stain, based on Philip Roth's novel of the same name.

The film addresses issues such as race, political correctness and sexual desire.

Sir Anthony plays the role of college professor Coleman Silk, who quits in disgrace after he is accused of racism.

Young makes his directing debut with Greendale

His life descends further into scandal when he begins an affair with Faunia (Kidman), a much younger, uneducated janitor with her own troubled past.

Sir Anthony said his focus was simply on his performance - and played down the film's steamy love scenes with Kidman.

"All this talk about chemistry, there's no such thing," he said.

"You know your lines, show up on time, do it and go home. And have a laugh, have some sense of fun on the set."

Canadian rock star Neil Young was also at the festival, promoting his film Greendale which had its world debut in Toronto on Friday.

Sharing the name of his latest album, it tells how an idyllic community of former hippies comes under attack from the forces of the modern world.

Young's voice is heard singing the story and the dialogue of lip-synching actors.

Young said: "I've been dreaming about making a picture for a long time but I couldn't think of anything worth making a film about, especially spending all the money that gets spent on films today.

"Finally I realised it's got to be songs. I can't write scripts, it just scares the hell out of me, but writing a song is easy."