Cannes Film Festival braces for #MeToo accusations

This year’s Cannes Film Festival is filled with fear, with rumors circulating that several stars and directors attending the festival may be considered sexual predators.

But the president of the festival said that they would consider it “individually.”

The French press reports that #MeToo allegations will be leveled against a list of 12 actors and directors during the international festival that starts next week.

“French cinema is in a cold sweat,” said A headline in Le Figarowho also claimed that the festival was so concerned that it hired a crisis PR team.

But festival president Iris Knobloch said so week in the job interview from Paris Match that if someone is named who has a film playing at the festival, their film will not be immediately disqualified.

“We are extremely attentive to what is happening today and are monitoring the situation closely,” she said. “If there is a case of anyone involved, we will ensure that the right decision is made on a case-by-case basis, after consultation with the board and all parties involved. But we would also consider this job to see what would be best for her. She’s a real star.”

The #MeToo movement was revived abroad by the French actress and activist Judith Godrèche, whose film “Moi Aussi” (#MeToo) will be presented at the festival in the Un Sure Regard selection.

The film will also be available to the public free of charge as part of the beach screenings section of Cinéma de la Plage.

Earlier this year, Godrèche filed two rape complaints with police against French filmmakers Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, accusing both of assaulting her when she was a teenager.

They both denied the accusations.

Cannes previously dealt with #MeToo in 2018, when women spoke out against Harvey Weinstein, a film industry titan and Cannes regular, and several of his attacks occurred during the festival.

This year, launched a hotline along with the French government, to which victims could call and report any incidents.

Former festival president Pierre Lescure and artistic director Thierry Frémaux said in a statement at the time: “These actions point to a pattern of behavior that deserves only the clearest and most unequivocal condemnation,” adding that they hoped the case would “help us once again.” condemn all such serious and unacceptable practices.”

In the same year, French actress Catherine Deneuve and others condemned the #MeToo movement states in a letter to Le Monde that “insistent or clumsy flirting is not a crime, and combativeness is not chauvinistic aggression.”