Woody Allen attends the 80th Venice Film Festival

Woody Allen, 87, is supported by wife Soon-Yi Previn, 52, and their daughters Manzie Tio and Bechet as controversial director’s Coup De Chance is screened out of competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival

Controversial director Woody Allen received a mixed response in northern Italy on Monday evening as his latest offering was screened out of competition at the 80th annual Venice Film Festival. 

The veteran filmmaker was supported by wife Soon-Yi Previn and their adopted daughters Manzie Tio, 23, and Bechet, 24, at the premiere of new film Coup De Chance.

Allen, 87, was hand-in-hand with Previn, 52, as they arrived at the Venice Lido ahead of its first official screening, but the applause was overshadowed by booing from those opposed to his presence allegations that he sexually assaulted his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, which he vehemently denies.

The American director looked appropriately smart in a black dinner suit, white dress shirt and bow tie as he greeted photographers alongside his wife, who opted for an elegant evening dress.  

Appearing at a press conference earlier that day, Allen admitted he has been “very lucky my whole life” and “not been held accountable for things I did poorly” in his work.

Side by side: Woody Allen was supported by wife Soon-Yi Previn at the premiere of new film Coup De Chance in Venice on Monday evening 

In attendance: Allen and Previn’s adopted were also present for a rare pubic appearance with their parents (L-R Woody Allen, Soon-Yi Previn, Bechet Allen and Manzie Tio Allen)

Dapper: The American director looked appropriately smart in a black dinner suit, white dress shirt and bow tie as he greeted photographers

The four-time Oscar winner has become a divisive figure in Hollywood in recent years, with many of the stars of his films distancing themselves from him following a renewed focus on allegations that he sexually assaulted Dylan, his adoptive child with former partner Mia Farrow. 

However, Allen said he has been blessed by good fortune throughout his life and career.

Speaking at a press conference for his new film Coup De Chance at the Venice Film Festival, where it is screening out of competition, he told reporters: “I’ve been very, very lucky; lucky my whole life really.

“I had two loving parents, I have good friends. I have a wonderful wife and marriage, two children.

“In a few months I’ll be 88 years old. I’ve never been in hospital. I’ve never had anything terrible happen to me. I’ve been very, very lucky my whole life.

“When I started making films, all the people chose to emphasise what I was able to do well, and to not hold me accountable for the things that I did poorly. They were very generous to me.

“And I’ve been very lucky with my filmmaking. And I’ve had, over my lifetime, much undeserved praise and an enormous amount of attention and respect.

Opening up: Appearing at a press conference earlier that day, Allen admitted he has been “very lucky my whole life” and “not been held accountable for things I did poorly”

Say cheese: The family gathered as they posed for photos in Venice on Monday evening 

Greetings: Allen posed for photographers after arriving at the Venice Lido on Monday evening

Iconic: The director is best known for films such as 1977’s Annie Hall, 1979’s Manhattan, 1986’s Hannah And Her Sisters and Crimes And Misdemeanors from 1989

Family: (L-R) Woody Allen, Soon-Yi Previn and their adopted daughters Manzie Tio Allen and Bechet Allen on the red carpet

“And so I have nothing but good fortune, and I hope it holds out of course, it’s early this afternoon.

“So far I’ve been very lucky.”

Allen is best known for films such as 1977’s Annie Hall, 1979’s Manhattan, 1986’s Hannah And Her Sisters and Crimes And Misdemeanors from 1989.

In 2020, Allen hit back at Hollywood stars who denounced him, saying it is “like everybody suddenly eating kale”.

Stars such as Mira Sorvino, Greta Gerwig, Colin Firth and Rebecca Hall are among the names who distanced themselves from the director, having previously worked with him.

He has gone from becoming one of the most important living directors to struggling to secure financing for his films in the US.

His latest film is his first in French and was filmed in Paris, starring Lou de Laage and Valerie Lemercier.

Centre stage: Allen also posed with his cast at the red carpet event on Monday (L-R d Valerie Lemercier, Woody Allen and Lou de Laâge)

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