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Venice Film Festival – Julia Roberts addressed controversy surrounding her new film, “After the Hunt,” at a press conference Friday. The film, which centers on a college professor facing a student’s accusation against a colleague while battling secrets from her own past, has sparked debate among festival attendees. Some viewers reportedly felt the movie rehashed tired arguments about women supporting each other during sexual assault allegations, a key issue within the #MeToo movement.
Roberts responded to the criticism by emphasizing the importance of dialogue. “The best part of your question,” she stated, “is that you all came out of the theater talking about it.
That’s how we wanted it to feel.” She further explained that the film isn’t meant to make definitive statements, but rather to portray characters in a specific moment and encourage discussion, even if it leads to strong reactions.
Director Luca Guadagnino added that the film explores the clash of truths, rather than promoting any specific agenda.
“After the Hunt” stars Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, and is slated for release in North America on October 10th. The film’s promotional materials suggest its intent to provoke discomfort, with a tagline reading, “Not everything is supposed to make you feel comfortable.”