Abdellatif Kechiche Skips Locarno Premiere: Controversy Swirls at Heated ‘Mektoub, My Love’ Q&A!

Despite the debut of “Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due,” the latest chapter in his provocative series, Abdellatif Kechiche was unable to attend the Locarno Film Festival. His absence was attributed to health issues and a recent stroke.

Kechiche, celebrated for his Palme d’Or-winning film “Blue Is the Warmest Color” at Cannes, has faced critical backlash for his recent works, particularly for “Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo.” Additionally, he has been embroiled in controversy due to several accusations, though none have led to legal convictions.

During a public Q&A session, cast members Shain Boumedine, Andre Jacobs, Salim Kechiouche, Ophélie Bau, Jessica Pennington, and producer Riccardo Marchegiani addressed the film amidst questions from the audience about the experiences of the actresses during the film’s production.

One audience member openly questioned, “Considering the sexual abuse allegations, how do you feel about promoting his work and this particularly divisive film?”

Ophélie Bau responded, “I prefer not to answer that question; my focus here is solely on the film.” Jessica Pennington followed up, saying, “The allegations were surprising to me. I personally had no issues with him and enjoyed my time working with Abdel, though I can’t speak for others.”

The festival opted not to hold a press conference.

When contacted for a statement, the festival’s press office informed The Bangin Beats that in the absence of the director, it is standard to either arrange a press conference with key representatives or to conduct a Q&A with the cast post-premiere. They ensure that one of these formats is available, especially for main competition films, and both are accessible to the press.

Boumedine mentioned that Kechiche often remains reticent about himself but provides his actors considerable freedom to interpret their roles, subtly steering them towards his vision.

Andre Jacobs remarked, “Having worked with him previously on ‘Black Venus,’ I feel fortunate. Abdel’s approach provides space for discovery and spontaneity within the acting process.”

“He presents a considerable challenge, which usually benefits the artistic process, though it can be tough. He strips away any pretense, pushing for authenticity, which is essential for seasoned actors,” Jacobs added.

Salim Kechiouche highlighted the collective effort behind the film, “While the controversy gets attention, it’s the collaborative spirit of cinema that truly matters. Tonight, I’m here to celebrate and thank my fellow cast members for their incredible work.”

The health of Kechiche was not discussed by the cast.

In an interview prior to the festival, Giona A. Nazzaro, Locarno’s artistic director, expressed his satisfaction at persuading Kechiche and his producers to attend, noting that Kechiche felt respected by the festival’s invitation.

Nazzaro further explained that the festival’s invitation was a simple request for the audience to appreciate the films based on their artistic merit.