Cannes chief rejects Adèle Haenel’s criticisms over French movie business’s #MeToo response

Following French actress Adèle Haenel’s announcement of her departure from the French movie business, Thierry Fremaux, the chief of the Cannes Movie Pageant, has responded by rejecting her criticisms. Haenel had accused French director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her over a span of years, claiming that Cannes and different pillars of the French movie business are prepared to guard their abusive leaders.

Fremaux strongly disagreed with Haenel’s remarks, stating that they had been “clearly unfaithful.” He highlighted the pageant’s elevated illustration of movies directed by girls this yr and its resolution to not display screen Woody Allen’s newest movie.

“In my life, I abide by a single precept,” Fremaux said. “It’s the freedom to assume, the liberty to precise oneself, and the liberty to behave inside the confines of the legislation.”

Haenel’s criticisms have reignited discussions surrounding the #MeToo motion on the Cannes Movie Pageant, one of many world’s oldest and most prestigious movie festivals. Harvey Weinstein, a outstanding presence in Cannes for a few years, was accused of a number of cases of sexual abuse that reportedly occurred throughout the pageant.

Traditionally, Cannes has had a low illustration of feminine filmmakers in its esteemed competitors lineup. In 2018, 82 girls staged a protest on the Cannes purple carpet, and the next yr, Fremaux signed a pledge committing to attempt for larger gender parity.

This yr, a record-breaking seven movies directed by girls are a part of the 21 films in competitors. Fremaux emphasised that this displays the rising prominence of feminine filmmakers worldwide.

Fremaux additionally defended the pageant’s resolution to display screen Jeanne du Barry, the opening evening movie starring Johnny Depp. This movie marks Depp’s return to the display screen after a extremely publicised trial together with his ex-wife Amber Heard, the place each events accused one another of bodily and verbal abuse. Depp was awarded $10 million in damages and Heard obtained $2 million in a settlement reached in December.

“To let you know the reality, in my life, I solely have one rule, it’s the liberty of pondering, the liberty of speech and the liberty to behave inside a authorized framework,” he stated.

Fremaux’s statements come at a time when Cannes faces elevated scrutiny for its dealing with of sexual misconduct allegations. The pageant has confronted criticism for its previous affiliation with Weinstein and its delayed response to the #MeToo motion.

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