CANNES: Allegations that Woody Allen sexually abused his daughter Dylan Farrow returned to haunt him in Cannes as he was being feted at the film festival’s opening gala.
The 80-year-old director was seated in the front row when the MC, French actor Laurent Lafitte, made a rape joke that drew gasps from the audience.
“It is a pleasure to see you in France, because you have shot many films in Europe in recent years, and yet in the United States you haven’t even been convicted for rape.” Opinions were divided on whether the comment was directed at Allen — who was never charged with the historic abuse accusations against him — or director Roman Polanski who has been living in Europe to escape charges he raped a 13-year-old in the United States.
But Allen seemed unperturbed by the gag and said “It would take a lot to offend me.”
“I am completely in favor of comedians making any jokes they want,” Allen told Variety magazine. Polanski’s French wife Emmanuelle Seigner branded Lafitte “pathetic” and said it was a “vulgar, mediocre” opening ceremony.
The 80-year-old director was seated in the front row when the MC, French actor Laurent Lafitte, made a rape joke that drew gasps from the audience.
“It is a pleasure to see you in France, because you have shot many films in Europe in recent years, and yet in the United States you haven’t even been convicted for rape.” Opinions were divided on whether the comment was directed at Allen — who was never charged with the historic abuse accusations against him — or director Roman Polanski who has been living in Europe to escape charges he raped a 13-year-old in the United States.
But Allen seemed unperturbed by the gag and said “It would take a lot to offend me.”
“I am completely in favor of comedians making any jokes they want,” Allen told Variety magazine. Polanski’s French wife Emmanuelle Seigner branded Lafitte “pathetic” and said it was a “vulgar, mediocre” opening ceremony.
