Roman Polanski’s ‘The Palace’ Not Going to the Berlin Film Festival

It was expected, but a German media outlet is saying that Roman Polanski’s “The Palace,” which is almost ready, won’t be premiering at the Berlin Film Festival next February.

Their reasoning behind the Berlin skip is obvious. Polanski, now 89, is still embroiled in allegations of abuse. That's the reason why experts don't expect his latest work to premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. On top of that, the German paper is implying that negative press is also starting to build up against Polanski in France, where he has been beloved for many years.

What they’re essentially saying is “your turn, Cannes.” If you really want to premiere “The Palace,” then go right ahead, but a backlash awaits.

Quite honestly, if I were Cannes boss Thierry Fremaux I’d just book the new films from Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Johnny Depp. Watch minds explode. Soak up the backlash. Change the narrative. Art before artist, right?

Then again, I doubt “The Palace” will be as masterful as Polanski’s last film, the Venice-winning “An Officer and a Spy.” This latest one from Polanski is said to be a black comedy about a New Year's Eve celebration, at the turn of the millennium, and set at a posh hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland.