This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/may/16/strauss-khan-scandal-ferrara-film

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Strauss-Kahn scandal inspires Ferrara movie on disgraced IMF chief Strauss-Kahn scandal inspires Ferrara movie on disgraced IMF chief
(4 months later)
The first images from a feature film inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal and directed by the American Abel Ferrara, have been released, two years after the former head of the IMF was arrested in New York over the alleged attempted rape of a hotel worker.The first images from a feature film inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal and directed by the American Abel Ferrara, have been released, two years after the former head of the IMF was arrested in New York over the alleged attempted rape of a hotel worker.
The trailer for Welcome to New York is a frenzied and explicit rampage through the champagne, orgies and debauchery behind a French power figure at the highest levels of Washington before his arrest over attempted rape.The trailer for Welcome to New York is a frenzied and explicit rampage through the champagne, orgies and debauchery behind a French power figure at the highest levels of Washington before his arrest over attempted rape.
The Strauss-Kahn figure is played by Gérard Depardieu in what appears to be such a scathing performance it could help rehabilitate the actor's own image in France, where he caused a storm this year by taking Russian nationality in a row over tax.The Strauss-Kahn figure is played by Gérard Depardieu in what appears to be such a scathing performance it could help rehabilitate the actor's own image in France, where he caused a storm this year by taking Russian nationality in a row over tax.
"It is a [Strauss-Kahn] only Depardieu could play," said a commentator on the French state radio France Info."It is a [Strauss-Kahn] only Depardieu could play," said a commentator on the French state radio France Info.
Depardieu, who took no fee for the film and paid his own airfare to New York for the filming, last year told Swiss TV that Strauss-Kahn was "very French, arrogant, smug – I will do it because I don't like him".Depardieu, who took no fee for the film and paid his own airfare to New York for the filming, last year told Swiss TV that Strauss-Kahn was "very French, arrogant, smug – I will do it because I don't like him".
The millionaire French journalist Anne Sinclair, who divorced from Strauss-Kahn this spring, is played by Jacqueline Bisset.The millionaire French journalist Anne Sinclair, who divorced from Strauss-Kahn this spring, is played by Jacqueline Bisset.
A few minutes of the film will be shown in the industry section of the Cannes film festival as it looks for global distributors.A few minutes of the film will be shown in the industry section of the Cannes film festival as it looks for global distributors.
Ferrara, whose films, such as The Driller Killer, Bad Lieutenant, and King of New York, are notorious for dark and unflinching violence, nudity and drug use, was said by some to be the perfect director for a feature film inspired by the case.Ferrara, whose films, such as The Driller Killer, Bad Lieutenant, and King of New York, are notorious for dark and unflinching violence, nudity and drug use, was said by some to be the perfect director for a feature film inspired by the case.
Isabelle Adjani, a French actor whose name was at one point attached to the project, said of Ferrara: "He'll go where it hurts. With him, there's no risk of political correctness."Isabelle Adjani, a French actor whose name was at one point attached to the project, said of Ferrara: "He'll go where it hurts. With him, there's no risk of political correctness."
Strauss-Kahn, who was then the Socialist favourite to be next French president, was arrested in New York in May 2011 over the alleged sex attack on Nafissatou Diallo, an immigrant hotel worker.Strauss-Kahn, who was then the Socialist favourite to be next French president, was arrested in New York in May 2011 over the alleged sex attack on Nafissatou Diallo, an immigrant hotel worker.
Charges of attempted rape, sex abuse, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment were eventually dropped, with New York prosecutors citing substantial credibility issues with the alleged victim.Charges of attempted rape, sex abuse, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment were eventually dropped, with New York prosecutors citing substantial credibility issues with the alleged victim.
Diallo's lawyer, Kenneth Thompson, said the district attorney had "denied the right of a woman to get justice in a rape case". Her lawyers lodged a civil case to sue Strauss-Kahn over what they said was a violent and sadistic attack that left her life "in shambles".Diallo's lawyer, Kenneth Thompson, said the district attorney had "denied the right of a woman to get justice in a rape case". Her lawyers lodged a civil case to sue Strauss-Kahn over what they said was a violent and sadistic attack that left her life "in shambles".
Last year Strauss-Kahn and Diallo reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum.Last year Strauss-Kahn and Diallo reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum.
Strauss-Kahn maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual, saying in a TV interview that he "regretted his moral error".Strauss-Kahn maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual, saying in a TV interview that he "regretted his moral error".
He remains under formal investigation in France, in a Lille case, known as the Carlton affair, in which sex workers were allegedly procured for orgies he attended.He remains under formal investigation in France, in a Lille case, known as the Carlton affair, in which sex workers were allegedly procured for orgies he attended.
Police are examining whether sex workers were procured and flown across the world to him while he was head of the IMF. If the case goes to court he risks trial over a charge of "aggravated pimping in an organised gang".Police are examining whether sex workers were procured and flown across the world to him while he was head of the IMF. If the case goes to court he risks trial over a charge of "aggravated pimping in an organised gang".
Strauss-Kahn has denied knowing that any of the women were sex workers.Strauss-Kahn has denied knowing that any of the women were sex workers.
Vincent Maraval, the co-head of Wild Bunch, which is distributing the film Welcome to New York told Screen Daily in Cannes: "There's a dozen lawyers working on the project. Every scene shot is validated by lawyers, even the improvised ones – everything is checked. There is also an error and omission insurance so that everyone we sell the film to is insured against possible legal action."Vincent Maraval, the co-head of Wild Bunch, which is distributing the film Welcome to New York told Screen Daily in Cannes: "There's a dozen lawyers working on the project. Every scene shot is validated by lawyers, even the improvised ones – everything is checked. There is also an error and omission insurance so that everyone we sell the film to is insured against possible legal action."
The characters in the film are given fictional names. He said the film was a "Shakespearian" look at a fall from grace, the running theme in all of Ferrara's work.The characters in the film are given fictional names. He said the film was a "Shakespearian" look at a fall from grace, the running theme in all of Ferrara's work.
Maraval added: "He couldn't care less about Dominique Strauss-Khan or French politics. What he's interested in is what it means to be publicly disgraced for an addiction, in this case a sexual one, and what the implications are for a couple who've been living in denial. When the issue is out in the open does it bring them together or tear them apart?"Maraval added: "He couldn't care less about Dominique Strauss-Khan or French politics. What he's interested in is what it means to be publicly disgraced for an addiction, in this case a sexual one, and what the implications are for a couple who've been living in denial. When the issue is out in the open does it bring them together or tear them apart?"
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.