Jury chairman Noble Polanski's gala dinner

- I do this to show my solidarity with the women who have been abused, says Lucrecia Martel, but adds:

- At the same time, I think it is right for the film to be included in the competition.

The question of whether it is right that Polanski, who during his time in the United States was prosecuted for raping a 13-year-old girl, be allowed to show her film about the Dreyfus scandal in Venice, has been widely debated in recent weeks.

It has also been questioned that the once raped actor Nate Parker may participate. And when the festival's various jury chair meets the press, it's the first question that comes up.

Martel, who is an Argentine director, notes that the issue is complex.

- But I can't separate the artist from the man. And Polanski's presence here is complicated. So I've studied what happened, I've talked to people who have written books about it, and it turns out that the woman who was exposed thinks that everything is over and that Polanski has done what the courts demanded. I do not judge him, but I will not go to the gala dinner where he will be honored.

She calls the debate "extremely important," but believes that the film still deserves a chance.

- And the fact that it is shown here will continue the debate.

- It's complex. I mean we have to differentiate between the artist and the man. The story is full of artists who have committed horrific crimes but whose work is still admired. Would we have to wait for 200 years before we can judge Polanski's film? says festival manager Alberto Barbera.

"J 'accuse" will be shown in Venice on Friday. Roman Polanski himself will not attend the festival, but it is said that he will possibly participate via Skype.