Clips from Jerry Lewis’ unreleased Holocaust film The day the clown cried It will be screened at this year’s Venice Film Festival.
from darkness to lightA documentary about the Lewis project from directors Michael Lurie and Eric Friedler, featuring never-before-seen footage of the legendary lost film, and will Shown in the Venice Classics section dedicated to film documentaries.
In 1972, the American comedian directed and starred in a film about the fictional German circus performer Helmut Doork, who insulted Hitler and was sent to a concentration camp, where He was ordered to entertain Jewish children heading to the gas chambers.
But the star hid all footage and to this day, the complete project has never been seen. Lewis himself said in 2013: “It could have been great, but I screwed up… I don’t quite understand it.” Seven minutes of the film have since surfaced online, and Lewis donated it to the Library of Congress in 2015 A version that states: clown It won’t be shown until 2025.
Now, a look at the making of the film and Lewis’ subsequent self-criticism will play out in Venice, organizers confirmed on Tuesday when they unveiled the full lineup for this year’s 81st Venice Film Festival.
The day the clown cried It started with publicist-turned-TV producer Joan O’Brien working with los angeles examiner Television critic Charles Denton. Producer Nathan Wachsberger took over the film and brought Lewis on board.
“Venice” will have its world premiere on August 28 Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceThe sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 hit comedy-horror film, screened out of competition.
