M. Abramowska, Eliseo
Roman Polanski’s feature film “The Palace” at the Venice Film Festival received a three-minute ovation at its world premiere this evening.
Unfolding against the backdrop of the Swiss luxury hotel Gstaad Palace, The Palace revolves around the divide between its ultra-rich clients and those who serve them in the run-up to a lavish New Year’s party on the eve of the year 2000.
The film, with Mickey Rourke, Fanny Ardant and John Cleese in the ensemble, was inspired by Polanski’s own stays at the Gstaad Palace. He wrote the script together with the Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski and the producer Ewa Piaskowska. Longtime collaborator Alexandre Desplat composed the score.
As we announced earlier this week, the film has secured multiple distribution deals in international markets.
There remains heated debate in the film world and beyond about whether or not Polanski should be recognized as an artist, while the 1973 charge of unlawful sex with a minor in the United States remains unresolved.
Polanski, who turned 90 earlier this month, was not at tonight’s screening.
Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera, who also invited Polanski’s Dreyfus Affair drama “An Officer and a Spy” to the festival in 2019, has rejected criticism of his decision to invite the new film.
While Polanski continues to have loyal supporters in his homeland, criticism of the director has intensified in France since 2017, when the MeToo movement emerged and a fifth allegation of sexual assault was made, which he has denied.
There are currently no US or UK distribution deals, as was the case with An Officer And A Spy.