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Oliver Masucci in »The Palace«: Premiere in Cannes with probably full red carpet
Photo: Malgosia Abramowska / Venice Film Festival
In a Q&A session with journalists on Tuesday, the director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, presented parts of the programme of the next edition. A total of 12 productions will compete against each other.
In the conversation, two contributions were announced that are likely to cause controversy: Both Woody Allen and Roman Polański will present their new works in Venice. This is reported, among other things, by the film portal »Deadline« .
Polański had fled the United States in 1978, where he is facing trial for raping a minor. The Oscar Academy excluded the director, who won the Oscar in 2003 for »The Pianist«, in 2018. In addition, there was another accusation in 2019: A French photographer accused the director of beating and raping her in 1975. Polański's public appearances and the festival screenings of his films repeatedly cause protests.
His new film »The Palace« will now be shown in Venice. The positive side effect for festival director Barbera: Despite the strike of actors and actresses in Hollywood, he will have a red carpet full of stars at the premiere, as the ensemble is made up of predominantly European performers. Oliver Masucci is joined by Fanny Ardant, John Cleese and Milan Peschel.
The stars of Woody Allen's new film »Coup de Chance« are also expected to be present in Venice. It was filmed in France with a French cast. Among others, Lou de Laâge, Niels Schneider and Valérie Lemercier stood in front of the camera.
Woody Allen has been shunned by many actresses, actors, and producers since repeated allegations of abuse were made against him by his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow. The director denies the allegations. His new film »Coup de Chance«, which Allen shot in French, is the first since 2016 to premiere at an A-festival.
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