Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Luc Besson: Three controversial directors are allowed to compete in Venice this year. But are her new movies even worth the fuss?
Suddenly they were there overnight: the protests and insults. Previously, only a flash mob had briefly occupied the red carpet in support of the women’s freedom struggle in Iran. Now, out of nowhere, large-format banners have appeared in several places in the city of Venice and its offshore beach island of Lido. Taped to the walls and floor and with messages like “Polanski: Wanted” or “Woody Allen: Justice hasn’t done its job”. Other posters accused the 80th edition of the world’s oldest film festival of being stuck 80 years behind the zeitgeist of offering a haven for rapists.