It was expected that the Venice Film Festival would program two films from controversy-courting directors this year, Roman Polanski’s “The Palace” and Woody Allen’s “Coup de Chance,” already predicted for the event running August 30 through September 9.
And what’s also expected is the inevitable mix of backlash and appreciation for including the auteurs, who in European countries fare better than in the United States and often comfortably find distribution for new work.
Polanski has admitted to, and been accused of, sexual abuse throughout his career and forgiven by his victim Samantha Greiner in the years since he was arrested and charged for raping her when she was 13 in 1977.
Allen has denied abusing Dylan Farrow in 1992 and was not charged with a crime.In an interview with Variety discussing this year’s Venice lineup, festival director Alberto Barbera reaffirmed his commitment to presenting their new films, saying he does…
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