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 Fans welcomed the news as a sign that "the curse of Don Quixote"
was finally broken, after Gilliam had to abandon an initial
version starring Johnny Depp in 2000 due to a series of
calamities, including flooding, ill health and money problems.
Finally remade with Jonathan Pryce and Adam Driver, Cannes
selected the film to close the festival on May 19, but a
last-minute legal challenge from a former producer who says he
owns the rights meant that remained uncertain until Wednesday's
ruling.
Adding to the idea of a curse, The Guardian newspaper reported
earlier on Wednesday that Gilliam, 77, had suffered a minor
stroke at the weekend, but he tweeted he was now fine: "After
days of rest and prayers to the gods I am restored and well
again."
"We are legally victorious! We will go to the ball, dressed as
the closing film at Festival de Cannes! May 19. Thanks for all
your support. #QuixoteVive," tweeted Gilliam, whose films
include "Brazil" and "Time Bandits".
The Paris court rejected a request by former producer Paulo
Branco to prevent the Cannes screening, although Branco told
reporters it had upheld his position that he does hold the
rights.
Gilliam's lawyer said the court did not address the question of
who owned the rights but had ordered that the screening of the
film include a statement that Branco claimed ownership.
"The judge said that the motion for an injunction was manifestly
disproportionate and was damaging to freedom of expression,"
Benjamin Sarfati told Reuters, adding that he had spoken to
Gilliam, who was delighted.
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"He said: 'The spell is broken. The film can be seen by its
audience.'"
Festival organizers also expressed their delight at being able to
show the film in which Pryce plays a modern-day man who believes he
is Don Quixote, the fictional Spanish knight from Cervantes' classic
17th century novel.
"Let's make this victory a great party," the festival tweeted,
referring to the closing screening on May 19.
Gilliam's fans celebrated the court ruling by uploading to his
Twitter page some of the surreal animations he made for 1970s TV
comedy Monty Python's Flying Circus and live actions clips,
including members of the Spanish Inquisition rejoicing.
But at least one fan was skeptical that the "curse" had really been
broken.
"Given the history, perhaps best save the celebrations until after
it screens. The last minute plot twists are unbearable," tweeted @GiantGnomes.
(Additional reporting by Johnny Cotton; Writing by Robin Pomeroy;
Editing by Gareth Jones)
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