(AFP) – Jul 5, 2008

KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic (AFP) — US actor and producer Robert De Niro spoke out at a film festival here Saturday against a threatened strike by film and television actors.

"I do not think it is good time to be striking now," he said during a news conference at the Karlovy Vary film festival in the west Czech spa town. "I personally think it is not a good idea to strike."

"All the trade unions are affected by the strike, with the economy as it is at this time, it does not seem to be a great idea," he added.

"The issues could be resolved in a few years and, whatever the result is, can be set retroactively," the Oscar-winning actor said.

The main union for TV and film actors, the Screen Actors' Guild, is expected to respond Monday to the latest offer from industry bosses following the expiry of the previous three-year contract between the two sides.

Separately, De Niro gave resounding support for the Democratic Party's presumptive presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

"I do feel very strongly that he should be president and I feel that he will. He is a real hope for the country and our relationship with people around the rest of the world, because we have had a bad past seven-eight years. It is very important that someone like him becomes the president," he said.

De Niro, who will celebrate his 65th birthday in August, is the guest of honour at Central Europe's biggest film festival and was awarded a "Crystal Globe" for his contribution to cinema on Friday night.

Actors Danny Glover and Christopher Lee will also be given prizes at the festival where 220 films and documentaries are due to be screened during its nine-day run ending July 12.

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