Roman Polanski's 'The Palace' receives a three-minute ovation at the Venice Film Festival

By Melanie Goodfellow, Andreas Wiseman

September 2, 2023 2:52 p.m.

Roman Polanski's feature film at the Venice Film Festival, The Palace received a 3 minute ovation tonight at its world premiere.

The Palaceis set against the backdrop of the luxurious Swiss hotel Gstaad Palace and revolves around the chasm between its ultra-wealthy patrons and those who serve them, as a lavish New Year's Eve party approaches on the eve of the year 2000.

Starring Mickey Rourke, Fanny Ardant and John Cleese in the cast, the film was inspired by that by Polansky. stays at the Gstaad Palace. He wrote the screenplay with Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski and producer Ewa Piaskowska. Longtime collaborator Alexandre Desplat composed the score.

As we revealed earlier this week, the film has secured multiple distribution deals on the international markets.

There remains fierce debate in the film world and beyond as to whether Polanski must be supported or not as an artist. while the 1973 charges of unlawful sex with a minor in the United States remain unsolved.

Polanski, who turned 90 earlier this month, did not attend the screening tonight.

Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera, who also guest-starred on the Dreyfus Affair drama of Polanski An Officer and a Spy at the festival in 2019, dismissed criticism of his decision to invite the new film.

While Polanski continues to count on loyal supporters in France, criticism of the director have intensified in France since 2017, amid the rise of the MeToo movement and a fifth accusation of sexual assault, which he denied.

There is no US or UK distribution deal yet. United, as was An Officer and a Spy.

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