Banners Protesting Roman Polanski, Woody Allen Movies Seem in Venice

“Island of rapists,” “No Golden Lion for predators,” “Sexist cinema/ feminist response” learn the banners, posted on the Lido close to the Venice Movie Competition on Sunday, an nameless protest towards the inclusion by the eightieth Biennale of movies from controversial administrators Roman Polanski and Woody Allen. Polanski’s new movie, The Palace, premiered in Venice final night time. Allen’s French-language Coup de Likelihood could have its world premiere right here on Monday.

The collection of banners written in Italian, French and English which, amongst different issues, accuse the Venice Movie Competition of internet hosting “rapists,” appeared Sunday morning on the Lido, on the Giardini della Biennale and on the Santa Maria Elisabetta visitors circle, one of many pageant’s major thoroughfares. They had been made with the identical approach: Particular person letters, one sheet of paper per letter, glued to a wall or to the bottom, in massive black block kind. It’s not but clear who made them.

Police, contacted by THR Roma, stated they had been investigating to try to discover out who was behind the protest. They didn’t disclose in the event that they had been pursuing particular prices towards the protesters.

The protest slogans make reference to Polanski (“Polanski Needed”) and Woody Allen —”Coupe de Likelihood: la justice ne fait pas son travail” (Coup de Likelihood: justice doesn’t do its job).

One accuses the pageant of being “80 years behind,” a reference to the Biennale’s eightieth anniversary this yr. One other asks the query: “Will the Golden Lion go to a rapist?” referring to Polanski’s The Palace, which is up for the pageant’s prime prize (Allen’s Coup de Likelihood is operating out of competitors in Venice).

Judging by the vital response to Polanski’s newest, there’s little probability of the 90-year-old filmmaker, successful a lot on the Lido. The Hollywood Reporter‘s critic lambasted The Palace, calling the film “The worst factor [Polanski has] ever made.” Viewers response was additionally tepid, with solely well mannered applause greeting the gala premiere Saturday night time.

Polanski, who admitted to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old lady in 1977 and continues to be a fugitive from U.S. justice, didn’t attend Venice. Allen, nonetheless, is on the town and is predicted to attend the press convention for Coup de Likelihood, and the movie’s gala premiere, on Monday. The director of Manhattan, Annie Corridor and Blue Jasmine was accused by his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow of sexually molesting her in 1992 when she was 7 years previous, accusations he has at all times denied.