Julia Roberts has defended her new #MeToo-themed film, After the Hunt, from accusations that it revives anti-feminist arguments, saying humanity was at risk of “losing the art of conversation”.

The Oscar-winning actor is making her Venice film festival debut with the psychological thriller from the Italian director Luca Guadagnino. It premieres out of competition on the Lido on Friday evening.

The drama is set in the world of higher education and stars Roberts as a beloved professor who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star student (the Bear’s Ayo Edebiri) makes an accusation of assault against her friend and colleague (Andrew Garfield). The cast also includes Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny.

Unsurprisingly, the film’s exploration of conflict and powe

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