An Italian filmmaker has been pictured wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Weinstein is innocent” at the Suspiria world premiere in Venice.
The Hollywood Reporter has identified the filmmaker as director Luciano Silighini Garagnani. He was seen opening his blazer on the red carpet to reveal the t-shirt, which also featured a photograph of Weinstein.
Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to six charges of sexual assault and rape against three women.
Garagnani is a lesser-known Italian filmmaker, seen as a provocateur and right-wing conservative who has reportedly donated money to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and supported Berlusconi in the past, according to his IMDb entry.
He is currently working on a movie about the former Italian Prime Minister, based on the as-yet-unpublished biography One of Us, which reportedly attempts to show Berlusconi in a good light.
Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera branded the stunt “a stupid move” in a comment made to Deadline, but it appears no action has been taken against Garagnani yet.
In the past, the festival has been accused of failing to do enough to address gender inequality in the industry.
This week, an agreement targeting gender parity in the future was signed by the festival, suggesting VFF was moving in a positive direction.
“It’s not a controversy,” jury president Guillermo del Toro said at the opening press conference, “It’s a real problem we have in the culture in general.”
“Many of the voices that should be heard, need to be heard,” he added.
“I believe it’s important that it’s not a matter of establishing a quota. It’s extremely important to call it out and to question it and to name it and to make it known.”
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