Film-maker Accuses Italian Government Of Censorship After Premiere Is Called Off

Museum denies it was 'compelled' to postpone, saying it felt need to remain apolitical in runup to this month's electionsHe was persona non grata in Italy during the reign of Silvio Berlusconi, who was so irked by the Economist's unrelenting criticism that he gave its editor the rather unlikely title of The E-Communist.But the British author and journalist Bill Emmott proved on Friday that, even after Berlusconi's departure from Palazzo Chigi, he still appeared to have the ability to cause a stir.Emmott has accused the government of censorship after the Italian premiere of his film, a critical look at the country and the problems it faces, was cancelled.A message to organisers by the National Museum of the 21st Century Arts in Rome said it was "compelled" to postpone the screening until after the elections this month owing to "very strict directions" from the ministry that forbade it from hosting an overtly political event in the runup to the vote.The museum, known as the Maxxi, is managed by a foundation created by the culture ministry but the ministry denied having given any instructions for the screening to be cancelled.Emmott, under whose editorship Berlusconi attempted twice to sue for libel, and twice failed, said he would protest directly to the office of the prime minister, Mario Monti, as well as to the museum and ministry."My reaction [to the cancellation] is one of disbelief," he said.