Earlier today, Roger Friedman posted about Roman Polanski’s “The Palace” being “eyed” to world premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival.
I sent an email to Friedman asking him to clarify if, indeed, Polanski is in the lineup. Friedman replied: “I believe he’s in.” Of course, we’ll only get confirmation on July 25th, that’s when Venice announces its selection of films.
Back in March, I had Polanski’s go-to cinematographer, Pawel Edelman, briefly mentioning that a September premiere was happening for “The Palace.” This only led to more Venice speculation.
And why wouldn’t Venice select Polanski’s latest? The Polish filmmaker’s last film, “J’accuse” was screened at Venice and even won the Grand Jury Prize. They’re also, supposedly, going to screen Woody Allen and Luc Besson’s latest films.
Polanski, who is turning 90 in August, has had his last five films premiering at festivals. Cannes (“Based on a True Story,” “Venus in Fur”); Venice (“J’accuse,” “Carnage”); and Berlin (“The Ghost Writer”). The problem for him, and this latest film, is that his narrative has radically changed since then, especially in France where he’s become Persona Non Grata.
“The Palace” cost $17 million to make and stars John Cleese, Mickey Rourke and Fanny Ardant. The movie is said to take place at a palace in Gstaad on New Year’s Eve in 1999, with “Hotel guests coming from all over the world flock to the lavish dinner party, however, the celebrations take an unexpected dark turn.”
In a recent interview, Cleese defended his working with Polanski, he finds the entire controversy surrounding the filmmaker to be absolute rubbish:
I don’t think anyone thinks he’s anything other than one of the greatest filmmakers ever born, and the idea of working with an absolute master was very, very important to me,” he asserts. “Most people, through the course of their life, ruffle a few feathers – and sometimes it’s important, as it was in his case. I don’t think just because someone did something 50 years ago – which the other person involved does not want unearthed – I don’t see any reason that the press are doing it other than it will get lots of clicks.
Having an insurance director is not uncommon in Hollywood. Aging filmmakers, in case a health issue arises, sometimes need to have one. It seems like that’s what might have occurred on “What Happens at Night.”