Overview

• The film premiered out of competition on Wednesday and drew mixed early reviews that highlighted its ambition and star-heavy ensemble.
• At the press conference, Julian Schnabel said there is "no reason to boycott artists" and defended casting choices on artistic merit.
• The Venice4Palestine collective had urged the festival to condemn the Gaza war and to disinvite Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler.
• Festival director Alberto Barbera reiterated that Venice welcomes open debate but will not exclude attendees.
• Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler did not appear at the festival, with Gadot’s representative saying she was never confirmed, and activists citing Butler’s 2018 FIDF gala appearance, which Schnabel disputed.