Movies and politics have always been happy bedfellows, with actors and filmmakers regularly using platforms at public events to sound off about politicians and injustices.
But rarely do you see the kind of political opinion aired by one Luciano Silighini Garagnani, an Italian filmmaker seen proudly parading about the Venice Film Festival wearing a homemade tee-shirt that boasts the words “Weinstein is Innocent.”
As per The Hollywood Reporter, Garagnani was seen at the world premiere of Suspiria, Luca Guadagnino’s remake of the Dario Argento 1977 classic. With a big grin, the filmmaker opened his jacket to show off his T-shirt, which was emblazoned with a photo of disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of multiple cases of sexual harassment and assault.
Italian director Luciano Silighini Garagnani attended the world premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria dressed in sneakers, faded jeans, and T-Shirt reading “Weinstein is Innocent” with a photo of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein under his blazer. Next to him, actor Paolo Riva was also all smiles, pointing to the T-Shirt in what looked to be a PR stunt.
Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the film festival, told Deadline that the shirt was “a stupid move.” Barbera was already facing his own backlash for having only one female-directed movie at the festival, and critics were quick to connect these two controversies.
“It’s bad enough you have only 1 film directed by a women at the festival but to have this nutcase Luciano Silighini Garagnani wearing a ‘Weinstein is Innocent’ T Shirt on your red carpet is outrageous! #disrespectful,” read a tweet from production company Audacious Entertainment. Others on Twitter were equally upset by the move.
Apparently Luciano Silighini Garagnani wore a "Weinstein is innocent" t-shirt at the Venice Film Festival yesterday. To that I say, "Who?"
— Ken Jones (@KenJones81) September 2, 2018
WHO is that guy?? And those around him.
— Johanna Hamilton (@JHamilton71) September 1, 2018
Some activists are fearful that Italy’s #MeToo movement has triggered further backlash against women. The Venice Film Festival has been accused of failing to do enough to address the issue of gender disparity (only one film in this year’s competition was directed by a women).
(Excerpts) Read More at: UPROXX.com and HollywoodReporter.com