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Home , Roman Polanski

20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Music & Movies Thursday, August 29, 2019

US actor Brad Pitt arrives by taxi boat yesterday during the 76th at Venice Lido. — AFP photos

File photo shows Venice Film Festival Director Alberto Barbera (right) and a guest File photo shows French-Polish director poses during a photocall attends the ‘Yomeddine’ premiere during the 17th Marrakech International Film prior to the screening of his movie “D’apres une histoire vraie” (“based on a true Festival. story”) at the Cinematheque in .

wenty-one films are competing for the prestigious Taward at the Venice film festival, which kicked off yesterday and runs until September 7. Here are the films: “La Verite” (The Truth), by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda-open- ing film “The Perfect Candidate”, by Saudi Arabian director Haifaa al-Mansour “About Endlessness”, by Swedish director Roy Andersson he glitzy Venice film festival kicked off yester- Lido island, where the curtain will also come up on “Wasp Network”, by French director Tday, as row after row of groomed actors the new DC Comics blockbuster, “The Joker”. “Marriage Story”, by US director Noah Baumbach arrived by taxi boat for the 11-day celebration Trailers for the film starring Joaquin Phoenix, which “Guest of Honour”, by Canadian director Atom Egoyan of international cinema. But the world’s oldest film traces the origins of Batman’s nemesis, have already “Ad Astra”, by US director James Gray festival is already off to a shaky start, as fury over been viewed more than 80 million times. US direc- “A Herdade”, by Portuguese director Tiago Guedes the inclusion of controversial directors adds to crit- tor will also see his take on the “Gloria Mundi”, by French director Robert Guediguian icism about a lack of women directors in the run- Panama Papers investigation, “The Laundromat”, “Waiting For The Barbarians”, by Colombian director Ciro Guerra ning for its top prize. premiered, while Brad Pitt plays an astronaut in “Ema”, by Chilean director Pablo Larrain Rows about filmmakers Roman Polanski and James Gray’s highly anticipated sci-fi drama “Ad “Lan xin da ju yuan” (Saturday Fiction) by Chinese director Lou Ye Nate Parker threaten to take some of the sheen off Astra”. “Martin Eden”, by Italian director Pietro Marcello a selection featuring a dazzling array of major stars “La Mafia Non e Piu Quella Di Una Volta” (The Mafia Is No Longer including Brad Pitt, , Kristen Stewart, Fury over Polanski, Parker What It Used To Be), by Italian director Franco Maresco Meryl Streep and Scarlett Johansson at the festi- Nate Parker’s 2016 debut film about a slave “The Painted Bird”, by Czech director Vaclav Marhoul val-a launchpad for the Oscars. After the festival revolt, “The Birth of a Nation”, was derailed after it “Il Sindaco Del Rione Sanita” (The Mayor of Rione Sanita), by Italian was pilloried for including just one female director emerged that he was accused of raping a fellow director Mario Martone in 2018, the 21-strong line-up for this year’s presti- student, who later killed herself. Parker was acquit- “Babyteeth”, by Australian director Shannon Murphy gious Golden Lion award includes two women. ted, but he later said, “I look back on that time as a “Joker”, by US director Todd Phillips Festival director Alberto Barbera said last year teenager and can say without hesitation that I “J’accuse” (An Officer and a Spy), French-Polish director Roman Polanski that he would rather quit the renowned event- should have used more wisdom.” Fellow black “The Laundromat”, by US director Steven Soderbergh where three of the last five Oscar best picture win- American director has vowed to travel to “No.7 Cherry Lane”, by Hong Kong director Yonfan fio. — AFP ners were premiered-than give in to pressure for Venice to support Parker, whose film “American quotas. This year, scrutiny over gender disparity Skin” tells the story of a Marine veteran whose son has been aggravated by a selection that has English singer Melanie Janine Brown, known as is killed by police. sparked particular fury-that of Polanski, who was Mel B, poses as she arrives by taxi boat. But it is the premiere of Polanski’s historical convicted for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old in thriller about the persecution of the French Jewish 1978. The inclusion in a sidebar event of US direc- file scandals had “left their mark”. The 76th Venice army officer , “An Officer and a Spy”, tor Parker, who was embroiled in a rape trial while festival opens with Japanese director Hirokazu which is likely to make the most headlines. The 86- still at university, has also sparked criticism. Melissa Kore-eda’s “The Truth”, starring French heavy- year-old “Rosemary’s Baby” director is suing the Silverstein, founder of campaign group Women and weights and , Academy of Motion Pictures for stripping him of Hollywood, has accused the festival organizers of about a French film star whose decision to publish his membership. Polanski will not appear in Venice being “completely tone-deaf”. “We all know that her memoirs prompts a mother-daughter reunion to promote “An Officer and a Spy”, representatives the world has changed post #MeToo,” she told which turns fiery. for the film told AFP. AFP. “Programming decisions are deliberate and Binoche was among the stars seen in the city, as The festival opens as the accusations that very thought-through. None of this information is the organizers put the finishing touches on prepa- sparked America’s #MeToo movement are back in hidden. The question I ask is, ‘Is this a lack of rations for the opening. Saudi Arabia’s Haifaa Al- the spotlight. , once one of the awareness or deliberate indifference?’” Mansour, the maker of the acclaimed “Wadjda”, is most powerful men in Hollywood, pleaded not one of the two women directors vying for the top guilty to two new charges of sexual predatory ‘New sensitivity’ prize. Her film “The Perfect Candidate” tells the assault Monday, as a judge postponed his trial to Barbera, who is credited with revitalizing the story of a doctor trying to become her town’s first 2020. — AFP festival-first held in 1932 — has defended the line- female candidate in elections in the conservative up. He insists that films are chosen on merit and has kingdom. Newcomer Shannon Murphy is the other stressed that “numerous films this year deal with female contender, with her Australian comedy-dra- the theme of the feminine condition in the world ma “Babyteeth”. French actress Juliette Binoche waves as she arrives by taxi boat to attend a pho- which, even when directed by men, reveal a new Stars Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Robert tocall for the film “The Truth” (La Verite) presented in competition. sensitivity.” He added this was proof that high-pro- De Niro are due on the red carpet at the glamorous

ere weeks after sexual assault allega- Amazon amid renewed scrutiny of his alleged Deneuve was among 100 women to sign an Mtions against Placido Domingo became sexual assault of his adopted daughter, an alle- open letter defending men’s freedom to “hit on” public, a chorus of bravos resounded in gation he fervently denies. women and railing against the new “puritanism.” Salzburg for the prolific opera singer, who blew It may never be shown stateside, even as it’s Americans too have pointed to a certain kisses while receiving a standing ovation. It was starting to screen in Europe. Dubbing the con- “European” art of seduction in letting accusa- his first of several upcoming European perform- tinued acceptance and praise of such figures tions slide: actress Anjelica Huston, who was at In this file photo US actor (left) and US film director (right), ances-he will appear in Szeged, Hungary yes- “just horrible,” Audrey Clinet, co-founder of the party where Polanski’s crime took place, arrive at the Marrakech International Film festival. — AFP terday-that remained on deck despite the EROIN, a company dedicated to supporting says it was just the way things were. “It’s a story #MeToo scandal festering against him, with emerging female film directors, said a sort of that could’ve happened 10 years before in numerous women saying the 78-year-old sexu- “free pass” is still being given to creative types England or or or Spain or Portugal, ally harassed them over the course of decades. valued for their contributions to the arts. In and no one would’ve heard anything about it. Classical music companies stateside were France, Clinet said, cultural figures “still publish And that’s how these guys enjoy their time,” the quick to err on the side of caution, with the books, they’re still invited on TV shows.” “It’s 68-year-old star said in an interview with New Philadelphia Orchestra and San Francisco Opera insane to see that-everyone knows what kind of York Magazine earlier this year. “It was a whole immediately canceling his upcoming perform- people they are,” the 32-year-old Parisian, who playboy movement in France when I was a ances when news of the accusations broke. But is now based in Los Angeles, told AFP. “Why are young girl,” said the actress, who has starred in etflix’s star-studded gangster movie Many who support the exclusion of houses in Europe took more of a wait-and-see they still working?” several of Allen’s films. “It was de rigueur for N“The Irishman” will receive only a streaming content from the Oscars have stance, with some throwing their support behind most of those guys like Roman who had grown limited release in theaters, it said suggested that streaming at home or on the storied tenor-turned-baritone. And as many ‘European sensibility’ up with the European sensibility.” Tuesday, as debate rages in Hollywood devices does not capture the true experi- American performers publicly condemned the For decades, many defenders of powerful over the disruption caused by deep-pock- ence of cinema. alleged actions, European singers jumped to his men accused of sex crimes have cited the cliche ‘Lazy shortcut’ eted streaming giants. Martin Scorsese’s The battle between traditional cinema defense. that American culture still clings to conservative French historian Laure Murat of the long-awaited crime epic starring Robert De and streaming came sharply into focus after Mezzo-soprano Maria Jose Suarez, who Puritan sensibilities. That viewpoint surfaced University of California, Los Angeles, rejected Niro and Al Pacino cost $175 million to Netflix’s impressive haul at the Academy performed alongside Domingo several times, again as the #MeToo movement took off in that viewpoint in a 2018 interview with French produce, and is part of Netflix’s long-run- Awards earlier this year. Netflix gave a 23- said she saw women “chase after him.” 2017, after film mogul Harvey Weinstein fell publication Mediapart, saying “to shout about ning bid to gain the traditional film indus- day theatrical run to Alfonso Cuaron’s “What I saw was someone who is kind, who from grace. French screen legend Catherine puritanism and censorship is a lazy shortcut.” try’s acceptance-and top awards-as an A- “Roma,” which earned a whopping 10 is a man who loves women, like I love men, and Behind the systematic defense of the “great list content provider. But campaigners Oscar nominations, winning three. On that is not a problem,” she told Spanish news artist,” Murat pointed to “a deliberate desire to including director have Tuesday, it released plans for a number of radio. The divergent reactions underscore a split not join the debate.” Two years on, Clinet wor- suggested that films produced and released awards season films, including Meryl between the US and Europe over the #MeToo ries that scandal fatigue is overwhelming the ini- by streaming firms should not be eligible Streep’s “The Laundromat,” and “Dolemite movement, highlighting their longstanding cul- tial fire of #MeToo. for the Oscars. is My Name” starring Eddie Murphy. tural debate on how a society should or should She’s optimistic for the future, though, “The Irishman” will appear in select US The ten feature films will have theatrical not celebrate the art of individuals despite lurid because youth on both sides of the Atlantic are theaters for 26 days before its global windows ranging from one week to one testimonies concerning their actions. growing up with “a new education” when it Netflix release on November 27, the com- month. “The Irishman” will be released in comes to issues of sexual harassment and gen- pany said. Netflix is juggling its commercial limited Los Angeles and New York theaters Free pass for artists der equality. Still, “women’s rights is something interests with Oscar ambitions, as Academy from November 1, before hitting additional Filmmaker Roman Polanski is perhaps the we have to defend every day,” she said. “It will Award rules require at least a seven day- cities in the US and UK from November 8. most prominent cultural figure that Europe has never end.”— AFP run in theaters. But any hopes of a full the- It tells the decades-spanning, true story of welcomed despite his conviction for statutory atrical release were dashed after talks with powerful union leader Jimmy Hoffa rape in the United States, which continues to In this file photo Spanish tenor Placido major multiplex chains over a longer win- (Pacino), crime boss Russell Bufalino (Joe seek his since he fled to France in Domingo speaks during a press confer- dow appear to have broken down. The film Pesci) and Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran 1978 while awaiting sentencing. Polanski is now ence to present ‘’ the opera by will show in mainly independent cinemas, (De Niro), who claimed he killed more than set to show his 13th production at the Venice Giuseppe Verdi based on William after the likes of Cineplex, Regal and AMC 25 people on their orders. —AFP Film Festival, but still has no US distributor. Shakespeare’s tragedy in Teatro Real in held firm on their traditional 90-day win- ’s latest film was dropped by Madrid. — AFP dow, according to Hollywood press reports.