Allen greets crowd, bolts

Director Woody Allen made his first appearance at the Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday night with a screening of his “Anything Else.” Though he was late, he received a standing ovation, adding some spark to a long-winded opening night ceremony.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker told a packed auditorium that he’d been a great admirer of Italian cinema, “shamelessly” lifting scenes and techniques from great Italian directors, including Fellini. But, despite his respect for the festival, he said, he wouldn’t break the habit of a lifetime by staying to watch his film.

Meanwhile, Hana Makhmalbaf, a 14-year-old Iranian director, was almost barred from watching the premiere of her “Joy of Madness”-- a portrayal of life in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban that won the 2003 Jury Prize at Cannes and is competing for the best debut film prize at Venice. Under Italian law, minors cannot see movies which have no rating -- even if they directed them.

Organizers obtained last-minute permission for Makhmalbaf to attend. They never had to deal with the issue before, they said, because she’s the youngest director to show up at the Lido.