Roman Polanski‘s latest film, “The Palace,” made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival but received a lukewarm response from the audience. While the cast and crew received a polite three-minute applause, it was far from the enthusiastic reception that some premieres enjoy.
The film, a black comedy directed by Polanski, takes place on New Year’s Eve in 1999 at Switzerland’s Gstaad Palace hotel. A dinner party at the luxurious hotel takes an unexpected turn, setting the stage for a quirky and intriguing story. The star-studded cast includes Oliver Masucci, Fanny Ardant, John Cleese, Bronwyn James, Joaquim de Almeida, and more.
Roman Polanski’s The Palace premiered to a mixed reception at the Venice Film Festival. Variety’s chief film critic, Owen Gleiberman, was particularly critical, describing the movie as a “garish debacle of an ensemble comedy” and noting that the audience‘s response was notably muted, with only a few scattered laughs. The film’s performances were described as uneven, while its humor and plot were seen as often overly contrived. The visuals, however, were praised as lush and ambitious, creating a world that was both vibrant and surreal. Despite the mixed reception, the film still managed to garner some support, with some praising its ambition and visuals. While there is no denying that The Palace was met with a lukewarm response, it still managed to capture some positive attention.
Polanski’s return to the Venice Film Festival has been met with controversy due to the sexual assault allegations he has faced throughout his career. Despite his history, festival director Alberto Barbera defended the decision to include Polanski’s film, citing forgiveness from the victim and the passage of time.
Producer Luca Barbareschi also expressed his support for Polanski during the film’s press conference, questioning why streaming platforms continue to host Polanski’s older movies while not supporting his new work.
At the press conference for the premiere of Roman Polanski’s The Palace at the Venice Film Festival, producer Luca Barbareschi stood in defense of the controversial director, questioning why streaming platforms continue to show Polanski’s older films while refusing to promote his latest work. Barbareschi argued that these streaming services should be holding Polanski to the same standard by supporting his more recent films, like The Palace, which had a mixed reception from critics and audiences alike. He highlighted the importance of recognizing the value of modern filmmakers and their work, regardless of the controversies surrounding them. Barbareschi’s comments were a reminder that even the most controversial filmmakers deserve a fair chance to showcase their talents and ideas in a public forum.
“The Palace” will premiere in Italian theaters on September 28, and its reception at subsequent festivals and among audiences remains to be seen.