Woody Allen on Cannes Rape Joke: ‘I’ve Had Worse Things Than That Said About Me’

The director defends the right of comedians to make jokes about anything

woody allen cafe society cannes

Woody Allen said that the rape joke told about him at Wednesday’s Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony didn’t offend him, because he’s taken plenty of criticism in the past.

“It didn’t bother me at all,” he said at a private media luncheon on Thursday afternoon. “I’ve had worse things than that said about me.”

French comedian Lauren Lafitte, the master of ceremonies at the opening ceremony, brought up the fact that Allen has been shooting many of his films in Europe in recent years, apparently comparing that to Roman Polanski‘s exile in Europe.

“It’s very nice that you’ve been shooting so many movies in Europe,” he said, “even if you are not being convicted for rape in the U.S.”

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