The subgenre of satirical films that skewered the ultra-rich is thriving and experiencing a surge in popularity by the minute. In just the past two years, we've witnessed the likes of Ruben Östlund's "Triangle of Sadness," Brandon Cronenberg's "Infinity Pool," and Mark Mylod's "The Menu," among many others. These films employ a variety of settings and situations to artfully depict the gaping chasm between social classes while simultaneously poking fun at the extravagant lives of the wealthy.

In the spring of 2022, the illustrious French-Polish director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and Oscar winner, Roman Polanski, aged 90, embarked on his latest cinematic venture, "The Palace," a thought-provoking social satire. Set against the backdrop of New Year's Eve 1999, this comedy takes the viewer on a whimsical journey through the lives of the wealthiest and most beautiful people. However, despite its intriguing premise, the film faced a less-than-enthusiastic reception at both the Venice and Zurich Film Festivals, garnering some rather critical reviews.

Objective criticism or Polanski bashing?

The question arises: Is this a genuine critique or simply a case of Polanski bashing? Notably, neither the culture editor of "Tagesanzeiger" nor the renowned English-language rating aggregator "Rotten Tomatoes" offered glowing appraisals of Polanski's latest work. Among the top critiques, one reads, "Roman Polanski's Eurotrash hotel farce is an absolute flop," while another brands the film "an eye-watering atrocity that immediately ranks among the most egregious cinematic failures of the year, perhaps even of the decade." It's worth mentioning that Roman Polanski remains a controversial figure due to a rape accusation from 50 years ago, leaving us to ponder whether this controversy has influenced the scathing critiques the film received.

Gstaad's Movie Date with "The Palace" will happen
So, what does someone who has actually viewed the film and possesses professional insights into the world of cinema have to say? Hansjörg Beck, the proprietor of the Ciné Theatre in Gstaad, had the opportunity to see the film at the Zurich Film Festival. He enthusiastically remarked, "I thoroughly enjoyed the film." And when queried about the film's prospects in Gstaad, his response was an unequivocal and resounding "yes." He stated, "We will undoubtedly showcase the film at the Ciné Theatre!" Beck emphasised that the film was shot in Gstaad, with local extras playing a pivotal role. The question isn't whether to screen the film but when to do so, as the film's negative reviews have made it challenging to secure a distributor willing to feature it.

(Source: AvS | KEREM S. MAURER)

Background
As for "Rotten Tomatoes," an online encyclopedia owned by Warner Bros Discovery, Inc. since 2011, an international media conglomerate headquartered in New York, USA, the year 2015 is deemed a significant milestone in the platform's influence on the commercial success of major Hollywood productions. In September 2023, the entertainment news site "Vulture" published research alleging a PR company's manipulation of Rotten Tomatoes ratings, shedding light on the complex dynamics behind film critiques and audience reception.

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