Vincent Gallo is going to be pulling double duty at the forthcoming Venice Film Festival. His latest directorial effort, “Promises Written In Water” was previously confirmed to premiere in the festival’s Horizons section, but he will also be putting on a suit for the red carpet to help promote his starring turn in Jerzy Skolimowski’s “Essential Killing,” lately added to the competition lineup.
The sure-to-be-controversial film centers on Gallo’s Afghan protagonist and Taliban member, Mohammed, who is taken captive by the Americans after killing three American soldiers in Afghanistan and then transferred to Europe for interrogation, only to escape from his captors on a continent he does not know. The likes of Zach Cohen, Yiftach Ofir and Emmanuelle Seigner also co-star. The trailer for the film hit the web earlier this summer.
Skolimowski is no stranger to Venice; he has screened several of his films at the fest and sat on the jury in 2001. And the late addition isn’t the only surprise up the festival’s sleeve — on September 6th, organizers will announce their customary surprise competition entry, so start placing your bets now (we’re gonna say Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter”).