Abdellatif Kechiche hasn’t made it to Locarno despite the premiere of “Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due,” the third installment of his controversial trilogy, reportedly due to health reasons and a recent stroke.
Kechiche, who won the Cannes Festival’s Palme d’Or for “Blue Is the Warmest Color,” has been panned by the critics for his latest films, especially “Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo,” and plagued by allegations. They haven’t led to convictions.
During a Q&A open to the public, actors Shain Boumedine, Andre Jacobs, Salim Kechiouche, Ophélie Bau, Jessica Pennington and producer Riccardo Marchegiani discussed the film – as well as the accusation brought up by an audience member, who asked whether the actresses “have experienced anything on set” while making the film.
“We all know [about] the sexual abuse allegations. How do you feel now, promoting his art and his film? How do you feel promoting this person and a film that’s so contentious?”
“It’s a question I don’t want to answer and that’s how I want to keep it. I’m not here to talk about my experience on set. I’m here for a film,” said Bau, while Pennington added: “I was shocked by the allegation. I had no problem with him. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I had a fantastic time working with Abdel.”
The festival decided not to hold a press conference.
After reaching out to the organizers for comment, Variety has received a statement from the press office, claiming that in case of director’s absence, it’s “standard practice” to offer two possibilities: “either hosting a press conference with other key representatives or holding a traditional Q&A session with the cast after the premiere. For films in the main competition, “we try to make sure at least one of these formats takes place, and both are open to press.”
According to Boumedine, Kechiche “didn’t talk a lot about himself” but allowed his actors freedom to talk about the characters. “This is where his strength is – he lets us explore and ultimately brings us to his goal, which he doesn’t reveal to us so easily.”
Andre Jacobs noted: “I am very fortunate, because I have worked with him twice – also on ‘Black Venus,’ which was a lot more scripted and controlled. Abdel makes room – for you to find things as an actor.”
“He’s very challenging, which is a good thing. At times it’s not a good thing – at times it’s difficult, but you are fighting and fighting, but it gets rid of the artifice. If you have been in the business long enough, you learn things as an actor, all these little shortcuts and Abdel doesn’t accept that. His process is about finding the truth.”
Salim Kechiouche said: “We talk about the controversy, but we don’t talk about the collective work. That’s what makes cinema. We’re all here today to talk about the film and to share this moment. I was really very moved at the end of the film, seeing the work of my partners and I really want to applaud and thank them tonight.”
The cast did not comment on Kechiche´s health.
In the interview with Variety ahead of the festival, Locarno’s artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro said he was “especially happy” that the fest “managed to convince Kechiche and his producers to come to Locarno.”
According to Nazzaro, Kechiche accepted the invitation “because he felt respected.” He added: “We are simply asking [the audience] to look at the films for what they are.”
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