Aronofsky's previous films include Pi and Requiem for a Dream

Audiences were left perplexed by The Fountain, directed by Weisz's fiance Darren Aronofsky, which features three parallel stories spanning 1,000 years.

But Weisz, 35, said the project, which co-stars with X-Men star Hugh Jackman, was "wonderful" and "different".

It was the British Oscar winner's first appearance since the birth of her son Henry, with Aronofsky, in May.

The Fountain features Jackman as a 16th century Spanish explorer, 21st century scientist and 26th century astronaut searching for the Fountain of Youth in order to save the life of the woman he loves, played by Weisz.

Intimacy

"I think it's wonderful that this film is so different," said Weisz, who won an Academy Award for her role in The Constant Gardener in March. "I would love to work with Darren again."

"I'd be honoured if she'd work with me again," US film-maker Aronofsky, 38, told a press conference in Venice on Monday.

"To direct Rachel was an amazing thing because we have an intimacy that was able to translate to our work as well."

Aronofsky spent the past six years working on the $35m movie (�18.3 m) film, which was originally expected to star Brad Pitt but was repeatedly turned down by film studios, according to Hollywood trade papers.