The production of TIFF closing night film Daliland has responded to a statement from Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation which has claimed the film about the celebrated Spanish Surrealist artist was made without its approval.
“Daliland is a complex and favourable portrayal of Dalí, whose life and work we deeply respect,” said a spokesperson for the production. “The film does not incorporate any material protected by copyright or otherwise and everything that we did was within our rights to make the film and tell this story.”
Earlier on Tuesday (September 14) Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation said the world premiere of the drama directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho, Charlie Says) was proceeding without its approval.
The statement continued, “The Spanish institution has not had the opportunity to preview it and exercise its duties in its role of protector of the painter’s work and image. Once the Foundation learned about the film’s release thanks to the media, it contacted the production company to regularize the rights. The Foundation received no response.
“In its role of universal administrator of Salvador Dalí’s legacy, the Foundation has, among its aims, the defence and protection of the painter’s work. This is why it reserves the right to exercise any legal action it deems appropriate to safeguard the artist’s prestige, that of his creative activity, of the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres and of the Dalí Foundation’s.”
Daliland explores Dali’s tempestuous marriage to his muse Gala in the run-up to an important show in 1973 New York. Ben Kingsley stars as Dali, Barbara Sukowa portrays Gala, and newcomer Christopher Briney plays a young gallery assistant. Ezra Miller features in a handful of scenes as the young Dali.
David O Sacks Productions and Pressman Film were the film’s principal financiers alongside private investors from the US, UK, France and Asia. Pressman Film Zephyr Films produced.
Bankside Films handles international sales and CAA Media Finance represents US rights. The film premieres on September 17.
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