Lindsay Lohan is a no-show at Venice Film Festival

"The Canyons" has arrived at the Venice Film Festival -- but without Lindsay Lohan.

The actress was a no-show at the Italian festival, where she was expected to promote the erotic thriller.

Director Paul Schrader told reporters that he was "a free man," adding: "For the last 16 months I've been hostage, by own choosing, to a very talented but unpredictable actress."

Neither Schrader nor Lohan's publicist gave a reason for the last-minute cancellation.

In "The Canyons," Lohan plays the girlfriend of a Los Angeles movie producer (portrayed by adult movie actor James Deen), who together engage in erotic encounters with couples found on the Internet. The movie is being shown out of competition Friday. (Watch the trailer for the film here.)

Schrader said Lohan "stepped up very hard" for the role.

Lohan, 27, has been plagued by legal and substance abuse problems. She completed her latest court-ordered stay in rehab in July.

The 70th annual Venice Film Festival runs through Sept. 7.