Mixed Reactions at Woody Allen Premiere

Chaos erupted on the red carpet of the 80th Venice International Film Festival as protesters clashed with police, demanding an end to rape culture and denouncing the festival’s decision to showcase films by directors Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, and Luc Besson. The incident occurred during the premiere of Allen’s latest film, Coup de Chance, which also marks his first French-language feature. Reports from the BBC and CNN provide further details. Here’s what unfolded:

• The disturbance: Approximately 20 individuals marched towards the cinema entrance just as Allen was making his way down the red carpet. Shouting slogans such as “No rape culture!” and “We are speaking for those without a voice against the director rapists,” these protesters created a commotion, some even removing their shirts. According to the Hollywood Reporter, scuffles with the police took place as well, as reported by the BBC and Variety.
• The protesters: The protesters consisted of men and women associated with various Italian organizations, including the feminist group Non Una Di Meno, as reported by Screen Daily. They distributed pamphlets condemning the festival’s inclusion of Allen, Besson, and Polanski. One excerpt from the pamphlets read, “If violence is never considered serious enough or credible enough, and if those who perpetrate it continue never to be held responsible, things can never change.”
• The accusations: Dylan Farrow, Allen’s adopted daughter, accused him of molesting her in 1992 when she was just 7 years old. However, charges were not filed by the prosecutor. Polanski, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old in the United States in 1977 but fled the country before his sentencing. Besson, meanwhile, was cleared of rape charges by a French court in June.