Latest news with #ThierryFremaux
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
In a shift for the festival, Cannes bars actor from premiere over sexual assault allegations
The Palais des festivals ahead of the 78th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 11, 2025. The Cannes film festival runs from May 13 until May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly) CANNES, France — The Cannes Film Festival barred French actor Théo Navarro-Mussy from attending the premiere of the competition entry 'Case 137,' in what's believed to be a first for the festival in the #MeToo era. Festival director Thierry Fremaux confirmed to the French magazine Télérama that Navarro-Mussy would not be allowed to attend the red carpet premiere of 'Case 137″ ('Dossier 137' in France) on Thursday night at Cannes. He has a supporting role in the film. Télérama reported that Navarro-Mussy was accused of rape by three former partners in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The case was dropped last month due to lack of evidence, but Télérama reported the three woman plan to appeal. 'It is because there is an appeal, and therefore the investigation is still active, that the case is not suspended,' Fremaux told the French magazine. 'When a legal decision becomes final, the situation changes.' Representatives for Navarro-Mussy didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Representatives for the Cannes Film Festival referred inquires to Fremaux's comments to Télérama. Navarro-Mussy's attorney, Marion Pouzet-Gagliardi told Télérama: 'I have received no information indicating that any proceedings are ongoing. This proposed complaint with civil party status has, to my knowledge, not been legally filed.' The decision marks a shift for the Cannes Film Festival, which has sometimes been criticized for welcoming men accused of sexual misconduct. But some say now that the festival is evolving as the #MeToo movement has made belated inroads into the French film industry. This year's Cannes opened hours after French actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual harassment and handed a 18-month suspended prison sentence. When asked about the Depardieu verdict, Juliette Binoche, Cannes jury president, said that 'the festival is following this trend in social and political life.' 'The festival is in step with what's happening today,' Binoche said. '#MeToo took some time to gain strength. We reacted very strongly recently.' On Thursday, the French production company of 'Case 137,' Haut et Court, said it last week received a warning about the situation. 'Even though the allegations largely predate the production of the film, we agreed with the festival management that the person in question will not accompany the film to Cannes, out of respect for the plaintiffs and their right to be heard, while also respecting the presumption of innocence of the accused,' the company said in a statement. Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes Bans Actor Accused Of Sexual Assault From Red Carpet
Cannes Film Festival Delegate General Thierry Fremaux has banned an actor due to walk the red carpet with Palme d'Or contender Dossier 137 after it emerged that he has been accused of sexual assault by three woman. Théo Navarro-Mussy was set to join the cast and crew this evening for the competition screening of Dominik Moll's drama Dossier 137, about a police officer assigned to a case about a young man alleging police violence. According to French film and TV magazine Télérama, which broke the story, Frémaux took the decision after being informed by actors' association ADA of official complaints against the actor for rape as well as physical and psychological violence by three women. The accusations relate to events in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The complaint was dismissed by the courts in April 2025, but the plaintiffs have said they are planning to lodge an appeal as civil parties. Cannes has never announced an official protocol around how it will deal with participants accused of sexual violence, but Frémaux appears to have taken his cue from the rules set out by the French César Academy. The César Academy protocol states that cinema professionals under investigation for any violent acts are not welcome at the ceremony and cannot receive any type of award, publicly or behind closed doors, until the case is ruled on. Frémaux was quoted as saying in the Télérama article: 'Because there is an appeal and therefore a continuation of the investigation, the case is not suspended. Once it's ruled on definitively in the courts, it will be different.' Cannes has bolstered its response to participants accused of sexual violence in recent years, after coming under under fire in the past amid the rise of the #MeToo movement, with a number of actresses publicly accusing the festival of turning a blind eye to sexually inappropriate behavior by some of its guests More from Deadline Mokster Films Expands Into Production With Lester Hsi's Taiwanese Horror 'Phantom' - Cannes Market Chiara Mastroianni, Denis Podalydès, Guslagie Malanda & Jasmine Trinca Among Cast For International Co-Pro 'Jealous White Men'; Magnify Launches Sales At Cannes Market 'Sound Of Falling' Filmmaker Mascha Schilinski On Origins Of Her Generational-Trauma Epic - Cannes In 2023, French actress Adèle Haenel wrote an open letter in which she suggested that Cannes was part of an ecosystem that allowed a 'general complacency' towards sexual predators. Frémaux responded in his pre-opening press conference that year that her comments were 'false' and 'erroneous'. Actress and filmmaker Judith Godrèche, who sparked a #MeToo revival in France last year after she spoke up about sexual abuse at the hands of director Benoît Jacquot, was among multiple actresses to have recounted inappropriate behaviour from Harvey Weinstein during Cannes. Earlier this year, a French parliamentary inquiry spearheaded by Godrèche, said in its conclusions that sexual abuse, as well as physical and psychological violence, was endemic in the French film industry, and called on Cannes to be part of the solution in stamping it out. A festival spokesperson has confirmed that the Tèlérama report is correct. Best of Deadline Where To Watch All The 'Mission: Impossible' Movies: Streamers With Multiple Films In The Franchise Everything We Know About 'My Life With The Walter Boys' Season 2 So Far 'Bridgerton' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
In a shift for the festival, Cannes bars actor from premiere over sexual assault allegations
The Cannes Film Festival barred French actor Théo Navarro-Mussy from attending the premiere of the competition entry 'Case 137," in what's believed to be a first for the festival in the #MeToo era. Festival director Thierry Fremaux confirmed to the French magazine Télérama that Navarro-Mussy would not be allowed to attend the red carpet premiere of 'Case 137" ("Dossier 137" in France) on Thursday night at Cannes. He has a supporting role in the film. Télérama reported that Navarro-Mussy was accused of rape by three former partners in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The case was dropped last month due to lack of evidence, but Télérama reported the three woman plan to appeal. 'It is because there is an appeal, and therefore the investigation is still active, that the case is not suspended," Fremaux told the French magazine. 'When a legal decision becomes final, the situation changes.' Representatives for Navarro-Mussy didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Representatives for the Cannes Film Festival referred inquires to Fremaux's comments to Télérama. Navarro-Mussy's attorney, Marion Pouzet-Gagliardi told Télérama: 'I have received no information indicating that any proceedings are ongoing. This proposed complaint with civil party status has, to my knowledge, not been legally filed." The decision marks a shift for the Cannes Film Festival, which has sometimes been criticized for welcoming men accused of sexual misconduct. But some say now that the festival is evolving as the #MeToo movement has made belated inroads into the French film industry. This year's Cannes opened hours after French actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual harassment and handed a 18-month suspended prison sentence. When asked about the Depardieu verdict, Juliette Binoche, Cannes jury president, said that 'the festival is following this trend in social and political life.' 'The festival is in step with what's happening today,' Binoche said. '#MeToo took some time to gain strength. We reacted very strongly recently." On Thursday, the French production company of 'Case 137,' Haut et Court, said it last week received a warning about the situation. 'Even though the allegations largely predate the production of the film, we agreed with the festival management that the person in question will not accompany the film to Cannes, out of respect for the plaintiffs and their right to be heard, while also respecting the presumption of innocence of the accused,' the company said in a statement.
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
French actor barred from Cannes red carpet amid ongoing sexual assault allegations
CANNES, May 15 — The Cannes film festival said it had barred an actor in a prominent French film from the red carpet today because of sexual assault allegations against him. Theo Navarro-Mussy has a secondary role as a police officer in the film 'Dossier 137' by Dominik Moll which is to premiere on Thursday in the festival's main competition. According to French magazine Telerama, which broke the news, the actor was accused of rape by three former partners in 2018, 2019, and 2020, but the case was dropped last month for lack of evidence. The three women plan to appeal and file a civil lawsuit, Telerama said. Cannes Festival director Thierry Fremaux confimed to Telerama that Navarro-Mussy had been excluded because an appeal was underway. Navarro-Mussy's lawyer denied this. 'The procedure is still ongoing,' Fremaux was quoted as saying. The festival confirmed the decision and Fremaux's remarks when contacted by AFP. A French parliamentary inquiry into the entertainment industry published its findings last month, with MPs concluding that abuse of performers was 'endemic'. Inquiry chair Sandrine Rousseau, an outspoken feminist lawmaker from The Greens party, called on Cannes Festival to set an example in stamping out sexual abuse, as well as physical and psychological violence. — AFP
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes President Iris Knobloch on Female Directors Gaining Ground, Festival's ‘Netflix Rule,' Relationship With U.S. Industry and Trump's Proposed Tariffs on Foreign Films
Re-elected for a second mandate earlier this year, Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch is kicking off the 78th edition in high spirits. Her arrival at the helm of the festival two years ago has coincided with Cannes' renaissance and closer-than-even bonds with Hollywood. Curated by longtime artistic director and general delegate Thierry Fremaux, last year's selection premiered a record number of Oscar nominations with movies such as Sean Baker's 'Anora,' which made history by winning four major statuettes including best picture and best director; as well as Coralie Fargeat's 'The Substance,' Jacques Audiard's 'Emilia Perez' and Gints Zilbalodis's 'Flow.' A year prior, Cannes was also behind two best picture nominees, Justine Triet's 'Anatomy of a Fall' and Jonathan Glazer's 'The Zone of Interest.' In an interview with Variety on the eve of the festival's kick off, the hands-on Knobloch, who previously headed Warner Bros. in Europe, joyfully spoke about the rise of female talent at Cannes and within the film world (which Cannes has supported through the launch of the Kering's Women in Motion program 10 years ago); as well as took a stance on U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 100% tariffs on foreign-made films; and the current tensions between American and European film industries; and the role of Cannes to unite people and culture through movies at a time of geo-political turmoils; as well as keeping the red carpet a protest-free zone. The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival kicks off this evening with Amelie Bonnin's feature debut 'Leave One Day,' and will include a honorary tribute to Robert De Niro from the hands of Leonardo DiCaprio. This year, the four juries are presided over by women and Juliette Binoche is also the second female president in a row, following Greta Gerwig last year. Are you in any way responsible for this female focus? More from Variety Shih-Ching Tsou's 'Left-Handed Girl' Kicks Off Cannes Critics' Week as Taiwan Sees Growth in Global Ventures Kristen Stewart to Discuss Directorial Debut 'The Chronology of Water' With Kim Gordon at Breaking Through the Lens Cannes Gala (EXCLUSIVE) Halle Berry Forced to Change Cannes Dress Amid New Red Carpet Rules, but Says Banning Nudity Is 'Probably a Good' Thing I hope that my presence can contribute to the festival's ongoing evolution. All our juries are now gender-balanced, and this year, each of the four is chaired by a woman. We uphold parity wherever we have direct influence. It is essential that women's perspectives are fully represented and that they have the space to share their vision of the world. Without that, it would be like telling the story of the world with one eye closed. Gender parity remains a priority we share with the Festival's General Delegate, Thierry Frémaux, and it carries deep personal significance for me. And there are also seven female women directors in competition, that's a tie-in with 2023! Yes and these seven by female filmmakers playing in competition represent one third of the selected films. This aligns closely with the overall submissions: women directed 28% of the films submitted, and they account for 25.1% of the Official Selection. We can only select from what is submitted to us but what's especially encouraging is that the proportion of female-directed films is even higher among short films and first features. It's a very positive trend, but one that requires continued vigilance to ensure it doesn't stall. I also sense a growing confidence and boldness among female filmmakers and, just as importantly, a greater willingness to entrust them with ambitious projects. More women are submitting films, and what strikes me is the fortunate sequence of events: Justine Triet's Palme d'Or win, which shone a global spotlight on female directors, followed by Coralie Fargeat's breakthrough success after last year's edition. Do you see any common themes among films directed by women and are you also seeing more films with female protagonists? If you look at the 2024 selection, a significant number of films explored the condition of women around the world. 'The Substance' examined the portrayal of women's bodies in the entertainment industry. 'Anora' told the story of a woman's dream of emancipation. 'Emilia Pérez' was driven by bold, complex female characters. And Rasoulof's film powerfully denounced the violent repression faced by women in Iran. This clearly shows how the festival reflects the world we live in. And what's particularly interesting is that these themes were explored by both male and female filmmakers—proving that the fight for women's voices and stories belongs to all of us. The geopolitical context is extremely tense right now. Do you this this will be a politically charged edition? The festival is always engaged with the films it selects, each one offering a distinct lens on today's world. The Cannes Film Festival's strength is that it selects films from all over the world. This year, films from more than 40 countries are represented, allowing us to view the world through a rich diversity of perspectives, stories, and cultures. Our role at the festival is to offer these filmmakers the opportunity to be seen, to be heard, and above all, to be free in their expression. Their voices are not to be exploited but respected for their authenticity. That, to me, is the essence and beauty of cinema: its power to illuminate struggles for freedom, expose oppression, and celebrate cultural diversity. It is this creative independence that we must continue to protect—and that remains one of the festival's most vital missions. What about Israeli films? Nadav Lapid's 'Yes' is premiering at Directors' Fortnight. Are there any Israeli movies playing in the Official Selection? Yes, the Israeli film 'Mama' by Or Sinai will be presented this year at the festival as part of the Official Selection. Again, more than 40 countries are represented this year through the selected films. You made a nice speech at the press conference announcing the lineup, in which you spoke about the importance of cinema today. What is it a topic you care so much about? Because today, the world seems to be losing its ability to respect differing opinions and engage in meaningful discussion and that is something cinema can help restore. The role of cinema is to create shared dreams in a world that is, unfortunately, increasingly tempted by isolationism. Cinema speaks a universal language and addresses a wide range of subjects. It has the power to travel across borders and convey meaningful messages. That's why cinema and film festivals have a crucial role to play in fostering dialogue. I hope this year's festival will offer films that make us think, reflect, and discover diverse perspectives on the world. Speaking of isolationism, what do you think of U.S. President Trump's declaration on potentially taxing movies made outside of the U.S.? At this stage, it's still too early to gauge the potential impact of these announcements. However, I sincerely hope the global film industry won't be paralyzed by caution or uncertainty. The sector is still recovering from the profound disruptions caused by the pandemic, labor strikes, and more recently, the wildfires in Los Angeles. I hope that a balanced, thoughtful approach—one that respects and preserves the diverse ecosystems that make up the cinematic world—can help us build a healthier, more resilient industry. Cinema thrives when it inspires. And right now, the world needs cinema to remain a truly global art form. That is something we deeply believe in at Cannes. Any system, in my view, should encourage cooperation—not competition at the expense of others. As you will soon start a second mandate at the helm of the festival, are you planning to change the status? Right now, we're finalizing a change to our bylaws which ensure a gender-balanced tandem representing each professional organisation on our board. Aside from that, we don't have any other changes planned for the time being. So no change to the so-called 'Netflix rule' which applies to every movie competing and requires them to have a theatrical release in France? As you know, streaming platforms are welcome at the Cannes Film Festival. This year, Apple is present with Spike Lee's new film, as well as a documentary about Bono. The festival's rule remains clear: to be eligible for competition, a film requires a theatrical release in France. I am convinced that we've now reached a stage where cinemas and streaming platforms can coexist harmoniously. A theatrical release allows a film to become a true cultural event — something that sparks conversation, debate, and shared experience. That's something only the cinema can offer. At the same time, platforms play a vital role in accessibility. After a film's theatrical run, they help it reach a far broader audience across the globe. I don't believe cinema will replace platforms, or that platforms will replace cinema. What we're witnessing is an industry in transformation. Studios are once again investing in theatrical releases, while platforms are evolving too — testing new strategies, adapting, and expanding their creative horizons. You previously headed Warner Bros. in Europe. How important is it for you to keep Cannes as an ally to theaters? It is essential to have strong convictions and a clear identity — and the Cannes Film Festival embodies both. We celebrate cinema from around the world, with a particular focus on films made for theatrical release. Were you chocked to see U.S. guilds attacking the French system which requires streamers to invest a portion of their revenues in local content and also sets strict windowing rules that Netflix and Amazon have recently appealed to the Council of State? It's a system that has proven its resilience. Just look at how well cinemas are performing in France — it's truly remarkable. Of course, every system must evolve, but that evolution should happen through dialogue with all stakeholders and in a way that preserves the right balance. The world is changing, and so must we — thoughtfully and together. After two back-to-back, edition, do you feel that the image of Cannes has been emboldened more than ever? It's true that the past two years have been remarkable. Above all, the Cannes Film Festival is an extraordinary launchpad for films that, without Cannes, might never have reached beyond their national borders. 'Anora,' for example, may never have found such a wide audience without being selected — and the same goes for 'The Substance' and many others. Today, it's difficult for independent films to gain that kind of visibility, and Cannes makes it possible. 'Anora' then went on to win awards all the way from the Golden Globes to the Oscars — which was a joy to witness. There's no rule that awards season begins in September. A great film remains great, no matter when it's released. And Cannes offers an exceptional platform for precisely that kind of cinema. Are you banning protests this year? We saw some people getting thrown out of the red carpet last year. Cannes has always been — and will always remain — a place of free expression. It was founded in direct opposition to fascism and the suppression of speech. That spirit of artistic freedom is part of its said, the festival itself does not take political positions. It is the artists and the films who carry the messages, each in their own voice. On the red carpet, our priority is to keep the spotlight on films and those who make them. That is the festival's core mission — and it is our responsibility to protect it. Best of Variety All the Godzilla Movies Ranked Final Oscar Predictions: International Feature – United Kingdom to Win Its First Statuette With 'The Zone of Interest' 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions
