Luciano Silighini Garagnani declares 'Weinstein is innocent' with his T-shirt while walking the red carpet of 'Suspiria' world premiere.
- Sep 3, 2018
AceShowbiz - Italian Filmmaker Luciano Silighini Garagnani declared his support for disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein at the 75th annual Venice Film Festival. The Italian director wore a pro-Weinstein T-shirt while attending the world premiere of "Suspiria" on Saturday night, September 1.
The Conservative D-list casting director-turned-filmmaker showed up in dark wash jeans, sneakers, a black suit jacket and a black T-shirt. At one point while walking the red carpet, he's pictured opening his jacket to show his homemade T-shirt which featured a picture of Weinstein, along with the message "Weinstein is innocent."
Actor Paolo Riva who stood next to him was seen grinning and pointing at the shirt. Some other guests who came along with Garagnani also smiled, seemingly amused by his action instead of showing disagreement or feeling disgusted.
Garagnani is reportedly a longtime supporter of media tycoon and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was convicted of paying an underage prostitute for sex, and allegedly donated to President Trump's campaign. Garagnani is making a flattering biography about Berlusconi and Riva is attached to star.
Alberto Barbera, the artistic director of the film festival, told Deadline that the shirt was "a stupid move," and the internet was not amused either. Melissa Silverstein, a gender equality activist in Hollywood, posted on Twitter, "Just f***ing awful. Seen today on @venicefilmfest red carpet. F**k this dude whoever he is and the dude next to him."
Just fucking awful.
— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) September 1, 2018
Seen today on @venicefilmfest red carpet.
Fuck this dude whoever he is and the dude next to him. pic.twitter.com/shg7NYmkVI
Another similarly reacted, "I don't know who Luciano Silighini is and I really don't care but his Weinstein is Innocent shirt has no place on the #Venezia75 #Venice75 red carpet. #Suspiria #TimesUp #MeToo."
I don't know who Luciano Silighini is and I really don't care but his Weinstein is Innocent shirt has no place on the #Venezia75#Venice75 red carpet. #Suspiria#TimesUp#MeToo
— Danielle Solzman @ TIFF18 (@DanielleSATM) September 2, 2018
Some others accused Garagnani of doing it for publicity. "This idiot is Luciano Silighini Garagnani, Italian writer, director and producer and, no surprise here, one of the people who financed Trump's campaign. 100% trash wanting a moment in the spotlight," one wrote.
This idiot is Luciano Silighini Garagnani, Italian writer, director and producer and, no surprise here, one of the people who financed Trump’s campaign. 100% trash wanting a moment in the spotlight.
— Cine Suffragette (@CineSuffragette) September 2, 2018
Another added, "Nice try on that publicity stunt Luciano Silighini Garagnani, still don’t know who you are or how you got into an award show."
Nice try on that publicity stunt Luciano Silighini Garagnani, still don’t know who you are or how you got into an award show.
— audi (@audiaudiaduii) September 2, 2018
