Trouble compiling latex sources in UTF-8 encodind

[giglio robbo' d'acciaio]

I'didn't understood yet if it's a latex or emacs related problem, anyway...
Latex aborts when compiling file with accented letters, like àèìòù etc.
I use utf-8 encoding in my ~/.emacs:

(custom-set-variables
 '(current-language-environment "UTF-8"))

 and i've added support for unicode input encoding in my file.tex inserting:

\usepackage{ucs}
\usepackage[italian]{babel}
\usepackage[utf8x]{inputenc}

Any clue?
-- 
Non capisco tutta questa eccitazione per il multitasking: io sono anni
che leggo in bagno.
                -- Carlo Landini