American movie star Al Pacino said his future was “blank” and criticised his latest directorial effort, Salome, on Sunday, ahead of the film’s public screening at the Venice film festival.

The Godfather star is in Venice to receive the Glory to the Filmmaker award for artists who have left an original mark on contemporary cinema, but said he had “no idea” where he had been going with his latest work.

“I didn’t know where I was going, I’m confused,” he said about Salome, a documentary and feature film melange based on Oscar Wilde’s play, the biblical tale of Salome and King Herod which explores the destructive use of sexuality.

Mr Pacino becomes both creator and protagonist, as he documents the challenges of making the film, while playing himself, King Herod and, in one scene, Oscar Wilde – with rising American star Jessica Chastain in the role of Salome.

His obsession with Oscar Wilde – an Irish writer who was imprisoned and sentenced to two years hard labour for gross indecency with other men – underpins the film, but Mr Pacino said he regretted not exploring the playwright’s life further.

“I don’t think I covered enough of Wilde’s personality.

“He was a provocateur with a superior mind – a rare per-son and a great artist,” he said.