Latest news with #TheoNavarroMussy
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Kevin Spacey says ‘glad to be working again'
Kevin Spacey poses for photographers upon arrival at the Better World Fund 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner during the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey said Tuesday he was 'glad to be working again' as he accepted a lifetime's achievement award from a charity on the sideline of the Cannes film festival. Spacey's presence at a gala dinner organized by the Better World Fund marks another step in the rehabilitation of the star who has been dogged by sexual assault allegations. 'I feel surrounded by so much affection and love. I've heard from so many of my friends and colleagues and co-stars in the last week since this award was announced,' he told reporters at the event. 'It's very nice to be back.' Asked if it was the beginning of a comeback, he replied: 'I'm glad to be working, I'll tell you that.' The invitation to Cannes -- where Spacey has not been seen on the red carpet since 2016 -- comes as the main festival has been enforcing a no-tolerance policy on sexual misconduct, under pressure from lawmakers and #MeToo anti-abuse activists. French actor Theo Navarro-Mussy -- who denies rape allegations made by three women -- was barred last week from the premiere of a French film in the running for the festival's top prize. A festival spokesperson declined to comment about Spacey's presence in Cannes when contacted by AFP. Spacey was acquitted of nine cases of alleged sex offences in Britain in 2023 and a New York court dismissed a $40 million civil sexual misconduct lawsuit against the 'Usual Suspects' actor in 2022. But last May new claims of inappropriate sexual behaviour emerged in a British television documentary, 'Spacey Unmasked'. In it, 10 men not involved in the UK court case against Spacey accused him of behaving inappropriately towards them. The 65-year-old has always denied any wrongdoing. In February, lawyers for former actor Ruari Cannon told AFP that he was taking a case to Britain's High Court against Spacey and London's Old Vic Theatre, where the actor was artistic director between 2003 and 2015. In the documentary, Cannon accused Spacey of having touched him inappropriately in London when he was 21 years old and the American star was 53.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Kevin Spacey gets charity award at Cannes, says ‘glad to be working again'
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey said Tuesday he was 'glad to be working again' as he accepted a lifetime achievement award from a charity on the sideline of the Cannes Film Festival. Advertisement Spacey's presence at a gala dinner organised by the Better World Fund marks another step in the rehabilitation of the star who has been dogged by sexual assault allegations. 'I feel surrounded by so much affection and love. I've heard from so many of my friends and colleagues and co-stars in the last week since this award was announced,' he told reporters at the event. 'It's very nice to be back.' Asked if it was the beginning of a comeback, he replied: 'I'm glad to be working, I'll tell you that.' The invitation to Cannes – where Spacey has not been seen on the red carpet since 2016 – comes as the main festival has been enforcing a no-tolerance policy on sexual misconduct, under pressure from lawmakers and #MeToo anti-abuse activists. Advertisement French actor Theo Navarro-Mussy – who denies rape allegations made by three women – was barred last week from the premiere of a French film in the running for the festival's top prize.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How France's #MeToo Movement Is Transforming Cannes and the Country's Film Industry: ‘The Conditions Under Which Work Is Produced Matter'
This year's Cannes Film Festival kicked off with Gerard Depardieu's 18-month suspended sentence for sexual assault on two women during the filming of 'The Green Shutters.' While that case itself has nothing to do with the festival, the sentencing of Depardieu, once a frequent presence at Cannes, was a reminder of how far France has come in embracing the #MeToo movement it was initially slow to champion. And that wasn't the only sign of shifting attitudes in the country and its most prominent showcase for cinema when it comes to sexual violence. This year, Cannes has issued a new rule banning filmmakers or talent accused of sexual misconduct from walking the red carpet and presenting films at the festival. Because of the change, the festival forbid Theo Navarro-Mussy from attending the premiere of Dominik Moll's 'Case 137' because he has been accused of rape and sexual assault. Although the case against Navarro-Mussy was dropped, his accusers plan to lodge an appeal. More from Variety Cannes: Falling Palm Tree Injures Pedestrian, Closing Down Section of Croisette Producer Jason Michael Berman Hits Cannes With New A/Vantage Pictures and 'Highest 2 Lowest' Emma Stone Says 'Crazy S--' Got Fed Into Her Algorithms While Prepping for Surprising 'Eddington' Role: 'That Scared Me a Little Bit' It marks the first time in the festival's 78-year history that kind of ban has been put in place, and stands in stark contrast to previous years when Roman Polanski, Woody Allen and Johnny Depp were warmly received on the Croisette. Just four years ago, Depardieu, who had been indicted on rape charges in 2020, presented a movie, 'Robuste,' a year later as part of Critics' Week's opening night. Cannes isn't the only major French film institution to have altered its stance on actors and artists accused of sexual violence or harassment. Four years after awarding Polanski with its best director prize, the Cesar Awards issued a rule in 2025 that said that the Cesar board will suspend or expel members who are accused of acts of violence, particularly those of a sexist or sexual nature. During an interview with Variety ahead of Cannes, festival chief Thierry Frémaux said that Cannes 'must be vigilant' because it plays such a crucial role in the initial launch of these films. If it endorses an artist with a history of problematic behavior, it runs the risk of legitimizing that person. He said the festival will now '…guarantee that the films submitted have respected and continue respecting the safety, integrity and dignity of all contributors and comply with legal obligations.' In the previous two editions of the festival, some #MeToo concerns were raised, notably last year, when rumors started swirling that the investigative magazine Mediapart was preparing to drop a bombshell article detailing allegations against several actors whose films were playing at the festival. No article of the sort was every produced. However, earlier this year a French Parliamentary commission found that sexual harassment and sexual violence in the entertainment industry in France are 'endemic.' Its report has put pressure on the industry to change its practices. The National Film Board's new president, Gaetan Bruel, has promised that growing #MeToo concerns will be central to the way the organization behind the country's film subsidy program operates. 'Cinema has always had a mission to inspire, but in the past it has too often done so at the cost of behaviors that can no longer be tolerated today,' he said. 'The conditions under which work is produced matter.' Bruel said that beyond the ethical concerns raised by sexual violence on set, producers should also be concerned about the commercial damage that can be caused by casting talent who have been accused of sexual misconduct, highlighting several cases of movies that underperformed in theaters after filmmakers were embroiled in controversy. He specifically mentioned director Samuel Theis, who is under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a crew member in 2024 and whose film 'Je le jure' recently tanked. 'Not only is this kind of behavior simply unacceptable, but from the perspective of the future of our industry, if we don't listen to this, we risk fueling a form of disaffection among the general public,' Bruel said. Looking back at 2024, France's biggest media story was the country's #MeToo boom. After failing to gain real momentum in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal more than seven years ago, the feminist movement finally found its catalyst in 2024. It started out with the crusade of French actor Judith Godrèche, who called out abuses in the film world. But what shook the core of French society was the case of Gisele Pelicot, a 67-year-old retiree who discovered that her husband had drugged her and invited men to rape her at their home in the French Riviera for more than 10 years. The Pelicot trial, which received wall-to-wall coverage in France and across the globe, stretched over three months and sifted through 51 defendants, who were all found guilty. The trial culminated with a 20-year prison sentence for Dominique Pelicot, who admitted that he raped his wife and recruited strangers online to come to their home and abuse her while she was sedated. The remaining 50 defendants received prison sentences that varied between eight to 10 years. While Dominique Pelicot hasn't appealed the verdict, 17 of the other defendants have filed an appeal and will stand a second trial in late 2025. The extent of the media coverage for the Pelicot trial was unprecedented in France, says Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, a filmmaker who has dedicated his career to making documentaries and features about sexual violence, including 'Samber,' a limited series about a French serial rapist that explores the damages of sexual violence against women and children. De Lestrade says the persistent challenges in achieving widespread societal change in France is caused by a continued resistance and the influence of class and generational differences. But there has already been signs of a backlash to the movement. Caroline Fourest, a feminist and filmmaker, recently rocked the boat with a book called 'Le vertige MeToo' ('The #MeToo Vertigo'), which argued that all of the different alleged offenders were being painted with the same brush. There are gradations of offense, Fourest argued, even as she praised the movement for sparking a necessary debate around sexual abuse and power. 'The tricky part' with the way that #MeToo has taken shape in France 'is simply not to put everything under the #MeToo hashtag, so as not to wear it out and weaken it,' she said. 'When we end up confusing all cases or putting all situations on the same level, we end up treating them with the same emotion, we end up trivializing #MeToo, sometimes even ridiculing #MeToo, at a time when it needs to remain very relevant in order to be fully democratized.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
News24
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Rape allegations trigger red carpet ban for actor as Cannes adopts MeToo-era standards
The Cannes Film Festival barred actor Theo Navarro-Mussy from the red carpet due to sexual assault accusations. While the legal case against Navarro-Mussy was dropped, an appeal is ongoing, with the actor acknowledging the decision. The move reflects increased scrutiny on the industry following #MeToo. The Cannes Film Festival barred an actor in a prominent French film from the red carpet on Thursday because of sexual assault allegations, unveiling a new policy under pressure from lawmakers and activists. Theo Navarro-Mussy plays a police officer in a supporting role in the film 'Dossier 137' by Dominik Moll, which premiered on Thursday in the festival's main competition. According to French magazine Télérama, which broke the news, three former partners accused the actor of rape in incidents that allegedly took place in 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, the case was dropped last month due to a lack of evidence. The three plaintiffs, all actors themselves, told Télérama they planned to appeal and file a civil lawsuit. Cannes Festival director Thierry Frémaux confirmed to Télérama that Navarro-Mussy had been excluded from the world's premier film festival because an appeal was underway. 'The judicial process is still ongoing', Frémaux was quoted as saying in remarks confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson. The treatment of Navarro-Mussy, if it becomes the basis of a consistent policy, would imply that any actor or director under active investigation for sexual assault would be excluded. It would align Cannes with the Cesar Awards, France's equivalent of the Oscars, which announced in January 2023 that nominees convicted of or under investigation for sexual assault would be barred. SEE | The top 10 red carpet looks from Mission: Impossible's glamorous Cannes premiere Navarro-Mussy, 34, who had a breakthrough role in the French medical TV drama 'Hippocrate', denies the allegations, but he told Télérama he understood the decision by festival organisers. He did not join his co-stars, including renowned French actor Léa Drucker, on Thursday as they made their way up the red carpet to the premiere. Inquiry Elsewhere on Thursday, a vice president of one of the parallel film sections at Cannes was suspended after being publicly denounced for sexual violence during an event. The executive from the ACID Cannes section has been suspended pending an investigation, the organisation said. In the past, Frémaux has sought to avoid taking a clear stance on the numerous sexual assault cases that have dogged figures in the film industry, particularly since the #MeToo movement. He faced criticism from some activists in 2023 over the choice of the film 'Jeanne du Barry' to open the festival, which starred Johnny Depp. The movie marked Depp's comeback after a toxic court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard that revealed his turbulent private life involving alcohol, drugs and domestic abuse allegations. The #MeToo movement shook the French film industry from 2017, as it did Hollywood, exposing widespread sexual misconduct and challenging a long-standing culture of silence. A recent French parliamentary inquiry into the entertainment industry, sparked by allegations of sexual abuse by actor Judith Godreche, found that the mistreatment of performers was 'endemic'. Inquiry chair Sandrine Rousseau, an outspoken feminist lawmaker from the Green party, called on the Cannes Festival to set an example when the findings were published last month. 'The Cannes Film Festival must be the place where this shift in mindset happens', she said. 'Worried' Navarro-Mussy said he was 'worried' about his career, adding that he hoped the fact the case against him had been closed was 'taken into account'. 'I have explained myself to the justice system and, at this stage, have been cleared', he told Télérama. His lawyer said that he had not been notified of any appeal against the decision to close the investigation. Moll, the director of 'Dossier 137', told AFP he was unaware of the allegations against the actor before starting to work with Navarro-Mussy, 'and during the film, nothing happened'. Moll's prize-winning previous film, 'The Night of the 12th', tackled the issue of violence against women. He said he was 'very sensitive to this issue'. Allegations of rape between partners are among the most difficult to prove, meaning prosecutors rarely take them to court unless there is clear evidence. French screen legend Gérard Depardieu was handed an 18-month suspended sentence on the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival this year after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. In other firsts at Cannes this year, the festival announced a new dress code that outlaws extravagantly large outfits that clog up the red carpet as well as 'total nudity'.
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Cannes bans actor from red carpet over sex assault allegations
CANNES, France, May 15 (Reuters) - The Cannes Film Festival has banned French actor Theo Navarro-Mussy from appearing on the red carpet for Thursday's premiere of French competition film "Case 137" due to sexual assault allegations against him. Festival director Thierry Fremaux told Telerama magazine on Wednesday that he had decided, along with the film's producers, to exclude the actor because the courts had not issued a final ruling in the case. A joint complaint by three former partners accusing Navarro-Mussy of rape was dismissed by prosecutors last month for lack of sufficient evidence, according to his lawyer. The complainants, also actors, plan to file a new complaint, Telerama reported. Navarro-Mussy's lawyer, Marion Pouzet-Gagliardi, told Reuters that to date, there was no indication that any proceedings would continue, and that no new complaint had been formally recorded yet. Prosecutors did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A festival spokesperson referred Reuters to Fremaux's Telerama interview when asked to confirm the red carpet ban, which is believed to be the first of its kind. Navarro-Mussy has a small role in the detective drama directed by Dominik Moll. The festival's director told Telerama that he was also waiting to find out more about a report concerning another film personality that had recently come to his attention. Beginning this year, Cannes requires producers to guarantee that films submitted respect the safety, integrity and dignity of all contributors. The festival has faced criticism in the past for not doing more to embrace the #MeToo movement that has exposed men accused of sexual harassment in fields including entertainment, politics and business. Fremaux's decision comes in the same week that actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in the highest-profile #MeToo case to come before judges in France. Depardieu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer said he would appeal the court's decision.
