Cannes Film Festival to Screen 'Don Quixote' Movie Despite Legal Action From Former Producer
Alfama Films
Movie

Paul Branco, who exited the project before filming began, claims executives have not given their consent for the film's big screen launch.

AceShowbiz - Cannes Film Festival officials are planning to move forward with the premiere of Terry Gilliam's ill-fated Don Quixote movie despite legal action from a disgruntled former producer. Paul Branco, from Alfama Films Production, applied for a court injunction to keep "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" from screening on May 19, the closing night of the annual French film festival.

He claims his firm owns the rights to the movie, which he exited as producer before cameras began rolling, and insists executives have not given their consent for the film's big screen launch.

The case is due to be heard in court on May 7, on the eve of the festival's opening, but the controversy doesn't appear to have fazed Cannes bosses, who are fully supportive of Gilliam and his movie, which has faced financial issues, casting problems and legal woes in the two decades since he started developing the project.

"We strongly affirm that we stand squarely on the side of filmmakers and in particular on the side of Terry Gilliam," reads a statement issued by festival president Pierre Lescure and fellow official Thierry Fremaux, according to TheWrap.

"The trouble (was) caused on this last occasion by the actions of a producer who has shown his true colours once and for all during this episode and who has threatened us, via his lawyer."

Festival organizers also use the press release to explain their fight is about freedom of expression.

"Defeat would be to succumb to threats," they continue, highlighting the predicament of two filmmakers invited to the festival who are "under house arrest in their own countries."

"It is more important than ever to remember that artists need us to support them, not attack them," they state. "That has always been the tradition of the Festival de Cannes and so it will remain."

"The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" is loosely based on the novel "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, and stars Adam Driver and Jonathan Pryce.

Follow AceShowbiz.com @ Google News

You can share this post!

You might also like
Related Posts