Fan Fare

Roman Polanski was unable to attend the world premiere of his new film “Carnage” in Venice this week for fear of being extradited to the United States, where he is being pursued for a sex crime dating back to 1977. Perhaps it is just as well.

In an awkward scheduling clash, the Venice film festival managed to hold the press conference for Carnage — attended by three of the four leading cast members Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly — during the main press screening of Madonna’s new picture “W.E.”

That meant that everyone covering the festival was forced to make a choice — watch W.E. to the end or walk out 40 or so minutes early to get to the Carnage press conference. Most chose the former.

Carnage is in the main competition in Venice, while Madonna’s second feature is not.  Film festival organisers know full well that the presence of a mega-star like Madonna on the red carpet can generate far more buzz and positive press than anything else. And so it seemed to some reporters on the Lido waterfront that Carnage was at least partly sacrificed for W.E.