The #MeToo movement pervades the Cannes Film Festival
#MeToo breaks through in France
A series of events at this year's Cannes Film Festival is showcasing how the #MeToo movement is finally breaking through in France. "It took much longer in France than in the U.S. for women to dare to speak out, and maybe it also took longer for women to be heard," Iris Knobloch, president of the Cannes Film Festival, said in an interview with Variety. Read on for the story of what's going on!
A blacklist of predators?
Opening on May 14, the Cannes Film Festival in France has been surrounded by a persistent rumor: that French online newspaper Mediapart would imminently release a list of s e x u al predators among the big names in French cinema.
An unfounded rumor
Spread by several national media outlets, the rumor originated on social media and quickly gained visibility, but it turned out to be unfounded and did not lead to any revelations.
Mediapart's denial
Lénaïg Bredoux, a journalist at Mediapart specializing in investigations into this type of violence, publicly denounced the false rumors about her newspaper.
A pathetic spectacle
Quoted by '20 Minutes', the journalist condemned the "media spectacle and pathetic show," adding that her media outlet "does not publish lists" but conducts "investigations based on cross-checked information" and not on rumors.
Ongoing investigations
This case of misinformation occurred in a context of numerous ongoing legal cases involving s e xist or s e x u a l violence by very famous French actors or directors: Gérard Depardieu, Benoît Jacquot, and Jacques Doillon, among others.
A parliamentary commission
An investigative commission on this specific type of violence in the film industry was opened in the National Assembly on March 14. Its conclusions are eagerly awaited...
A group of celebrities asks for a specific law
On top of that, 'Le Monde' published an op-ed on May 14 calling for a #MeToo law against s e x u a l violence. Initiated by French actress Anna Mouglalis, the petition has been signed by 150 celebrities in France.
"We do nothing..."
"We tell victims that they need to speak up, that their voices matter," Anna Mouglalis stated, as quoted by France Info. "Yet, we do nothing... Victims need measures," she added.
A protest photo
During the third day of the Festival, actress Judith Godrèche, who recently made several allegations, posed on the steps of the Palais des Festivals surrounded by dozens of victims. These women all placed their hands over their mouths to symbolize the silence they were forced into after feeling abused.
Camille Cottin's candid words
This year’s Festival emcee, Camille Cottin, spoke candidly about the delicate issue of violence against women in the film industry.
Slamming the "old cinema" customs
In her opening speech, the actress condemned the customs of the "old cinema," referring to the favors some actresses had long been pressured to grant male producers or directors to secure roles.
Greta Gerwig gets involved
Camille Cottin also highlighted the feminist commitment of director Greta Gerwig, who is the president of the jury this year. At the French festival, she told journalists that the #MeToo movement has lead to "substantive change" for better in the film industry and that the conversation should continue to expand.
The case of Judith Godrèche
The star of the series "Call My Agent!" also told AFP about the "bold, powerful statements" made by notable figures during Cannes, particularly those of Judith Godrèche, who has become the face of French cinema’s #MeToo movement since filing complaints against directors Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon.
A short film on the subject
Judith Godrèche presented a short film on the topic on May 15, titled 'Me Too,' made with the participation of a thousand s e x u a l violence victims who responded to her call.
Reflecting society
"Judith Godrèche has paved the way. This topic will not be ignored at the Festival; on the contrary. The Festival has always been very connected to society, as cinema reflects its changes," said actress Camille Cottin, as cited by BFM TV.
Women in cinema
With Greta Gerwig as jury president, Camille Cottin as the Festival’s emcee, and the honorary Palme d’Or awarded to Meryl Streep, women are asserting themselves more than ever at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Is this a sign that things are finally changing for real>
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