Italian
Press access controversy at San Sebastian Film Festival
Journalists walk out over limited interview time with Johnny Depp
A group of international journalists staged a walkout during a press junket for Johnny Depp’s film “Modi” at the San Sebastian Film Festival. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing debate within the industry regarding press access to high-profile talent.
The setup: A highly anticipated event
Twelve journalists from various international publications were invited to participate in interviews for “Modi,” a film directed by Depp and premiering at the Spanish festival. Depp, naturally, was the main attraction. However, the journalists were offered a roundtable format with Depp and his co-stars, Riccardo Scamarcio and Antonia Desalt, with only 15 minutes allocated for each of the two tables of six journalists.
The challenge of paired interviews
Italian freelance writer Marco Consoli expressed frustration with the setup, noting that paired interviews have become increasingly common and problematic. “The pairing of talent has been happening for some years now and makes our job more and more challenging,” Consoli explained. “Most of the time, when you ask a question, they start to talk to each other, and it’s very hard to get a proper interview with any of them.”
A compromise gone wrong
Despite their reservations, the journalists agreed to the pairings. However, when the junket started late, publicists informed them that due to time constraints, the interviews would be conducted in one group of 12 reporters for 20 minutes. The journalists pushed back, insisting that the 20 minutes should be spent solely with Depp. When this request was denied, the group decided to abandon the junket altogether.
A growing trend of limited access
This incident at San Sebastian follows a similar fallout at the Venice Film Festival, where international journalists signed an open letter decrying the lack of access to major talent. The letter, which has garnered over 100 signatures, warned that cinema journalism is “at risk of extinction” if studios and publicists continue to limit access.
The broader implications
The letter argued that most journalists attending festivals are being denied access to big-name stars, a situation that has been worsening over recent years. Many reporters are freelancers who pay their own way and rely on such interviews for their livelihood. “We find this shocking and deeply concerning. We ask to change this policy that has long contaminated all the major festivals and to return to offering interview junkets to the press at film festivals,” the letter read.
The potential for a larger boycott
The letter also hinted at a broader boycott, suggesting that hundreds of outlets might soon refuse to cover films and artists who deny them access to interviews. “Eventually, the protest could involve the festivals themselves, which risks seeing the departure of hundreds of accredited journalists and publications,” the letter warned. “The commentary on films and the opinion of their authors will be left to artificial intelligence.”
The future of film journalism
The situation raises important questions about the future of film journalism. As access to talent becomes increasingly restricted, journalists are finding it harder to provide in-depth coverage and unique insights. This trend not only affects the journalists but also the audiences who rely on their expertise and analysis.
A call for change
The walkout at San Sebastian and the open letter from Venice highlight a growing dissatisfaction within the industry. Journalists are calling for a return to more traditional interview formats that allow for meaningful interactions with talent. Without such changes, the relationship between the press and the film industry could become increasingly strained.
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