Film Critic at ‘Nightingale’ Venice Screening Yells Sexist Remark About Jennifer Kent, and the Director Has a Powerful Response

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Jennifer Kent’s “The Nightingale” debuted for press at the Venice Film Festival ahead of its official world premiere, but the screening was disrupted when an Italian film critic shouted a sexist and derogatory remark about the director when her name appeared in the end credits. The critic called Kent a variation on the word “prostitute” and “whore,” in addition to shouting “shame on you” at her, according to Deadline and critics in attendance.

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“The Nightingale” is Kent’s second directorial effort after the breakout success of her Sundance sensation “The Babadook,” which is widely considered a modern horror classic. Her latest release takes place in 1825 and stars “Game of Thrones” actress Aisling Franciosi. The plot centers around an Irish convict who sets out into the Tasmanian wilderness on a mission of revenge against the British officer who committed an act of violence against her family.

During the film’s Venice press conference, Kent responded to the critic’s controversial remark by taking the high rode. “The Nightingale” is notable for being the only Venice competition title directed by a woman.

“I think it’s of absolute importance to react with compassion and love for ignorance,” Kent said. “There is no other option. The film speaks very clearly to that. I am very proud of the film and my crew for daring to tell a story that needs to be told. Love, compassion, kindness are our lifeline and if we don’t utilize them we will all go down the plughole.”

“The Nightingale” currently does not have a U.S. distributor.

If Venice could identify the Italian press member who bellowingly called Jennifer Kent a whore at last night's screening of THE NIGHTINGALE, and revoke their accreditation going forward, that would be a good start.

— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) September 6, 2018

Reports are “The Babadook” director Jennifer Kent’s THE NIGHTINGALE screened for press in Venice to rave reviews, but an ugly screening crowd who cheered at an act of racial violence and someone called Kent a variation on ‘whore’. Yikes.

— Garth Franklin (@darkhorizons) September 6, 2018

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