Al Pacino's “Wilde Salome” Defies Description

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not even Al Pacino is sure what to call "Wilde Salome," his film making its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Pacino says it's neither documentary, nor film. He calls it "a much more ambitious and complicated gesture in cinema."

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The movie is Pacino's examination of Oscar Wilde's once-banned play "Salome," which tells the story of Herod's obsession for his wife's daughter, culminating with Salome's vengeful demand for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

The movie premiered out of competition Sunday.

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It weaves together a documentary on Wilde's life, footage of a reading of the play in Los Angeles and a film version of the play.

Pacino also received an award for his contribution to contemporary cinema.

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