Italy’s culture chief to snub Cannes to protest film spoofing Berlusconi and his quake relief

Italy culture chief to snub Cannes filmfest

ROME — Italy’s culture minister says he will boycott this month’s Cannes film festival to protest the showing of a movie that spoofs Premier Silvio Berlusconi and his relief efforts for earthquake survivors.

“Draquila” features popular satirist Sabina Guzzanti, a woman who impersonates Berlusconi in the film.

The government’s efforts to construct housing for thousands of quake homeless in the city of L’Aquila is a point of pride for Berlusconi.

Culture Minister Bondi said Saturday in a statement he won’t go because the film, which will be screened out of competition, offends the Italian people.

The Italian news agency Apcom quoted parliamentary culture commission member Flavia Perina as saying the boycott might give the film more publicity.