A24 confirms that the Monday, October 16 premiere for Sofia Coppola's movie will be held without red carpet amid the escalating violence in Israel and Palestine.
- Oct 14, 2023
AceShowbiz - "Priscilla" tones down a celebration for its forthcoming release amid current world events. Distributor A24 has confirmed that the movie will forgo red carpet during its upcoming premiere on Monday, October 16.
"Out of respect for the events going on in the world, we will be forgoing a red carpet for the 'Priscilla' Los Angeles Premiere," a representative for the film said on Friday, October 13 regarding the red carpet cancellation.
While the statement did not go into specifics regarding the world "events," the decision was likely made in solidarity with the ongoing conflict in Middle East. The Academy Museum previously also made a similar decision to forgo the red carpet at the annual fundraising gala, which was scheduled for Saturday, before choosing to postpone the event altogether "out of respect for the devastating conflict and loss of life happening overseas."
While the "Priscilla" premiere will still be happening, the location is still unknown as A24 is forced to move the venue due to an ongoing contract dispute between IATSE and the American Legion Theater in Hollywood.
IATSE Local 33, which represents projectionists, first picketed the property on September 14. "American Legion Post 43 has committed multiple unfair labor practices, most significantly reneging on an agreement reached in April 2023 for a new collective bargaining agreement and misrepresenting the terms of that agreement to its membership," the union's business representative Ronald R. Valentine said in a statement. "As a result, IATSE Local 33 had no choice but to call a strike."
He added that his union was calling on its labor allies, "including our fellow union members in SAG-AFTRA," to boycott any event held at Post 43 until Post 43 fulfills its legal obligations. As for the premiere's cancellation at the venue, Valentine noted that Local 33 thanked A24 and those involved with "Priscilla" "for their solidarity."
Meanwhile, Post 43's executive committee tells THR in a statement that it "will not be bullied into signing an unfair agreement for our veterans."
"Priscilla" is based on Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir "Elvis and Me". It stars Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley. The movie, directed by Sofia Coppola, is set to open in U.S. theaters on November 3.
