We Now Know Why Terry Gilliam’s ‘Don Quixote’ Was Not Chosen For Cannes

The seemingly never-ending saga bringing Terry Gilliam’s “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” to theaters is apparently still not over. Recently, we’ve been covering the legal drama that has befallen this troubled production. After spending well over two decades getting this film produced, Gilliam now finds himself embattled in a court case that is holding up the release of the film.

However, after word from the producers and distributor that the court case has zero effect on the film’s release and a premiere at a prestigious event was “imminent,” many assumed it would be announced as an Out of Competition selection at Cannes. But then it wasn’t part of the initial lineup. So, what happened?

Screen Daily recently spoke to Thierry Fremaux, the director of the Cannes Film Festival, who gave his reason for not selecting the highly-anticipated film. “This movie – as well as others – is in a conflict that’s been brought to the courts,” said Fremaux. However, as the report points out, Fremaux hasn’t completely shut the door on ‘Don Quixote,’ and said that “selection is not complete,” meaning we might still see the film at the prestigious event. Judging by those comments, it seems as if Cannes might be waiting for the legal drama to play itself out.

Following up on this news, Screen Daily also spoke to Jeremy Thomas, an executive producer on ‘Don Quixote,’ who said, he was “hopeful” that the film would be an Official Selection, but for now “doesn’t know what is going on.” He concludes that we’ll have to “wait and see.”

Well, that’s disheartening.

To say this whole mess is utterly confusing is an understatement. At first, we heard the film’s release would be delayed until a court decision on June 15. Then, we heard that the film can be released whenever and that the distributor was waiting for the right event. Now, from the word of the director of Cannes, we find out, yet again, the legal drama is affecting the release.

At this point, it’s probably best to just “wait and see,” like Thomas suggests. We know the film will eventually find its release, but after waiting 25 years, we can hold off just a little while longer.