Venice Film Festival's 83Rd Edition Draws Criticism Over 'DAU' Inclusion

The Venice Film Festival faced criticism in the weeks before its 83rd edition opened, over the inclusion of DAU, a controversial project by Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovsky. The project, which blends documentary and fiction, was presented as a multi-part installation and film series at the festival. Critics raised concerns about the project's production methods and its portrayal of historical events, while organizers defended its artistic merit. The festival, held on the Lido in Venice, ran from August 31 to September 10, 2016.