Venice Film Festival 2023 director Alberto Barbera opens up on Woody Allen & Roman Polanski screenings

The 2023 Venice Film Festival sparked controversy when it announced the inclusion of films by Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Luc Besson. The ongoing festival is host to some of the best titles from world cinema of the past few months, including the latest works of the aforementioned veteran filmmakers.

Speaking to The Guardian recently, Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera said that the backlash received in the public domain in this regard is expected. "We knew that we would face attacks and insults," said Barbera in his candid chat wherein he also expressed personal views about each of the filmmakers.

“After almost 25 years, why should we keep on banning his films? It’s impossible to release his films in the US now, which is absolutely unbelievable,” said Alberto Barbera when it came to Woody Allen.

Allen, 87, of course, who was charged with multiple sexual abuse allegations by his adopted daughter (with actress Mia Farrow) Dylan Farrow many years ago, will have his film Coup de Chance as part of the 'Out of Competition' section at Venice Film Festival 2023. Though he, 87, was not charged with these claims, the allegations continue to remain attached to him to this day, with public discourse, too, about his innocence being largely divided.

Also part of the Venice Film Festival 2023 is Roman Polanski's The Palace. Polanski is best known for making some of the last century's pathbreaking features such as Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby, The Tenant and the 2002 semi-autobiographical drama, The Pianist. But in 1977, the filmmaker caused a huge shocker to the world when he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

"Polanski is one of the last great masters of European cinema. He made huge mistakes 50 years ago. He recognized that he was guilty. He asked to be forgiven by the victim, and the victim gave her forgiveness. I’m not a judge who is asked to make a judgment about the bad behavior of someone," said Alberto Barbera about Roman Polanski, stressing the fact it is important to separate the man and the artist. 

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Luc Besson, the other contentious entrant to this year's Venice line-up, was accused of rape by actress Sand Van Roy in 2018 but was later cleared of all charges. His film 'Dogman' is part of the competition at Venice 2023. The film festival also features late American auteur William Friedkin's final picture, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.