“Cancel culture,” as it’s been called, is a very interesting concept. That isn’t to say it’s necessarily good or bad that folks in the entertainment industry are being publicly blacklisted after horrific situations are being exposed. It’s just that there’s really no set rules on what qualifies a person to be “canceled.” Case in point, Woody Allen.
The legendary filmmaker has been one of the biggest names to get “canceled,” after his decades-old sexual assault allegations resurfaced during the last year or so. In that time, he’s lost an Amazon deal worth millions and has been effectively blacklisted by Hollywood. But for many, he’s still Woody Allen, award-winning filmmaker and icon. Now, he’s working on a new film coming out, which features a love story set amidst the San Sebastian Film Festival. And for the folks at San Sebastian, they couldn’t be happier to be associated with Allen, canceled or not.
San Sebastian event director José Luis Rebordinos said in a statement (via IndieWire), “We are delighted to have a master of the stature of Woody Allen shooting in San Sebastian and, in addition, that the film takes place at the San Sebastian Film Festival. It is a unique occasion for both the city and the Festival.”
Before we throw Rebordinos into the whole “canceled” bin, it’s worth noting that he’s in a bit of a pickle, when it comes to his festival. Yes, we all want to believe that film festivals are good and pure, focused solely on the art of cinema, but they’re businesses, all the same. Who wouldn’t want their business being the driving force of a film, even if that film is made by a controversial director, who also happens to be one of the biggest names in filmmaking ever?
Obviously, the folks at San Sebastian would rather their festival be in the next Scorsese film, but you play the cards you’re dealt. That being said, people will likely not be a fan of the way Rebordinos said that Allen is a “master” considering the recent issues surrounding his resurfaced sexual assault allegations and his comments in light of the current #MeToo movement.
The untitled Woody Allen film is said to star Elena Anaya, Louis Garrel, Gina Gershon, Sergi López, Wally Shawn, and Christoph Waltz. Production will begin in July. Distribution, on the other hand, is still up in the air, especially considering the fact that a North American release for Allen’s last film has yet to happen.