The Spanish director Victor Erice was absent from the premiere of his movie, Close Your Eyes, at the Cannes Film Festival, as he wrote an open letter addressing Cannes General Thierry Frémaux over the handling and selection of his film. Close Your Eyes, Erice’s first feature in thirty years, tells the story of a famous Spanish actor who disappears while filming a movie.

The film premiered on May 22 at the Cannes Premiere with the cast of Helena Miquel, Jose Coronado, Ana Torrent, and many more, but it was missing the attendance of Erice. He didn’t attend because the film was too late to be considered for the competition. Erice stated that it was “false” and that a final cut giving a “reliable account of the film” had been sent to Cannes in a QuickTime format in March. Victor Erice stated in the letter.

After QuickTime, a DCP of Close Your Eyes was sent to Cannes, with the final color grading and sound mixes, which has been screened at the Palais des Festivals. Therefore, it is untrue to state or insinuate that the Committee has not been able to see it as it was not “finished” until a few days ago, arguing that this has been the reason why it has not appeared in Competition.

Deadline states that the festival responded to the letter on Thursday afternoon, and the film Close Your Eyes went under its usual conditions.

The Cannes Film Festival is the first to be surprised by the suggestions being made around the selection of the film because it is above all proud and happy to have welcomed Close Your Eyes by Victor Erice to its 76th edition.