"Venus in Fur" in Cannes
Roman Polański. Photo by AKPA
La Vénus à la fourrure (Venus in Fur), directed by Roman Polański and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute, will screen in Main Competition at the 66 th Cannes International Film Festival, which runs from May 15 through May 26, 2013. The Cannes screening will mark the film’s world premiere.
Roman Polanski’s Film in Main Competition
Roman Polański’s latest film Venus in Fur has been selected for screening in Main Competition of the 66th Cannes International Film Festival. The jury of this year’s Main Competition in Cannes will be presided by Steven Spielberg. Films competing against Venus in Fur for the Palme d’Or include the latest works by the Coen brothers, Asghar Farhadi, Steven Soderbergh, and Nicolas Refn. Venus in Fur will be screened on Saturday, May 25.
This year’s Special Screenings at the Cannes Film Festival will feature another film by Roman Polański: the 1971 documentary Weekend of a Champion.
Based on a Play by David Ives
Roman Polański’s latest project is an erotic comedy, based on a play by David Ives, who also co-wrote the script. The main protagonist of Venus in Fur is Thomas, a director looking to cast the female lead in his latest play. None of the actresses meets his requirements, and just as Thomas is about to give up, Vanda, a real hurricane of unpredictable and sexy energy, bursts into the theatre. At first she appears to possess all the faults that annoy Thomas; she is bold, crass, desperate, and unprepared. After Thomas reluctantly agrees to give her a chance, Vanda undergoes a spectacular transformation, and the director soon falls for her completely.
International Co-Production Supported by the Polish Film Institute
Venus in Fur was made in co-production between France and Poland. The film was produced by R.P. Productions, and the Polish co-producer and distributor is Monolith Films. This is also Roman Polański’s second film to be co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The lead roles were played by Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner. Venus in Fur was lensed by Polish cinematographer Paweł Edelman and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. World sales are handled by Lionsgate.
Another Opportunity for a Palme d’Or
This marks yet another opportunity for Roman Polański to win the coveted Palme d’Or award of the Cannes festival. Polański received his first Palme d’Or for The Pianist in 2002. In 1976, his feature The Tenant also screened in Main Competition.
Another Polish filmmaker recognized with the Palme d’Or was Andrzej Wajda, who received this award in 1981 for his feature Człowiek z żelaza (Man of Iron).
The 66th Cannes International Film Festival runs from May 15 through May 26, 2013.
The festival website is available at: www.festival-cannes.fr.
Paulina Bez
Translated by Karolina Kołtun