It’s OK to show Woody Allen and Roman Polanski films at Cannes and Venice – if they are good

Here at the Venice Film Festival the Hollywood bad boys are out in force being feted and fawned upon despite the dark clouds of MeToo accusations hanging over them. So, asks Geoffrey McNab, are the great and the good of the film world right to look the other way?

Woody Allen on the red carpet at the Venice premiere of his film ‘Coup de Chance’ (Getty)

Are European film festivals becoming the last refuges for the ageing scoundrels of the film industry? This question has occurred to many during the 80th Venice Film Festival, which closes this weekend. They are asking why directors and stars with such troublesome reputations are still finding warm receptions on the Cannes Croisette or the Venice Lido. Alleged rapists, wife batterers and child abusers are being allowed to show their movies. Festival programmers are drawing a clear distinction between these figures’ tabloid reputations and their work.

Roman Polanski is just one of several disgraced veterans who had new movies at Venice this year. He unveiled his dreadful new comedy The Palace last weekend. Joining the Polish director on the Lido was Woody Allen, presenting his French-language feature Coup de Chance, and Luc Besson, premiering his eccentric new picture, Dogman. These are all filmmakers who’ve been involved in explosive court cases relating to their private lives.

Polanski is a hugely contentious figure. Post #MeToo, there has been renewed focus on his statutory rape of teenager Samantha Geimer in the 1970s, his flight from US justice and questions over whether it’s appropriate to continue showing his work.