If you want to check out Terry Gilliam’s long-in-the-making movie The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, the upcoming Karlovy Vary International Film Festival might be one of your only opportunities.
A near-infamous production with a stunted history that dates back three decades, Gilliam’s failed attempt to film the movie in 2000, when Johnny Depp, Jean Rochefort, and Vanessa Paradis were attached to the project, became the basis for the 2002 documentary Lost in La Mancha.
Last year, Gilliam finally managed to complete the movie, which now stars Adam Driver, Jonathan Pryce, Stellan Skarsgård, and Olga Kurylenko. It had its world premiere at the Cannes film fest last month, where it received mixed-to-positive reviews.
Up next for The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Gilliam announced via social media that he will personally be bringing the film to a trio of upcoming film festivals, including Brussels on June 20, Munich on July 2, and Karlovy Vary on July 3.
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival later confirmed Gilliam’s attendance, with The Man Who Killed Don Quixote slated to screen during the festival on Wednesday, July 4 and Friday, July 6.
Gilliam joins an impressive lineup of directors at this year’s festival that also include Barry Levinson and Richard Linklater.
But not so fast.
Lest you think clear skies await Gilliam’s passion project, which the director has been trying to make since 1989, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote has been embroiled in a rights dispute over ownership since last year.
Paulo Branco, who was listed as one of the film’s producers in 2016 but reportedly failed to come up with funds to finance the movie, claims to still own rights to The Man Who Killed Don Quixote based on the original contract he signed with Gilliam. He has been suing to prevent the release of the film and its presentation at festivals like Cannes.
On June 15, a Paris court ruled in favor of Branco’s claim that he owns the rights to the film, with Branco further stating that he will seek damages from anyone involved with the production, promotion, and presentation of the film. Including Cannes.
While Gilliam and the film’s current producers valiantly continue the festival tour with The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival could also feel Branco’s wrath should the movie be screened at the festival.
Whatever lies ahead for The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, opportunities for general audiences to see the film may be few and far between.
Lead photo via Facebook / Terry Gilliam
