#MeToo in Cannes: “We will make sure to make the right decision on a case-by-case basis”

Iris Knobloch, president of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, took stock just before the opening, while announcing the broadcast of the film Me Too, by Judith Godrèche.

Last week, a rumor grew about sexual accusations surrounding key figures in French cinema which would be revealed in a major media outlet as soon as the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

The day before the event, the list was not published, which does not prevent the organizers from taking the issue very seriously. The movement for the liberation of women's speech, #MeToowill be at the heart of the event, starting Wednesday, with the screening of a short film by Judith Godreche titled Me too.

The leading actress of Ridiculous and of The Spanish inn explains in the press release announcing this broadcast that it was after receiving multiple testimonies from women following her strong César speech, that she wanted to film Me too :

“Suddenly, before me, a crowd of victims, a reality which also represents France, as these stories arise from all social origins, from all generations, confides Judith Godrèche. The question then arose as to what I was going to do with it. What do we do when we are overwhelmed by what we hear, by the quantity of testimonies?

The Cannes press release continues: “Recomposing an intimate sound and visual landscape, the director signs a film in the form of a choral work composed of personal stories stated in fragments and stages this harsh but saving path, from pain without words to the beginning of a liberation through A thousand people take part. The music, the dance, the image, the imagination offer them a space that is as physical as it is symbolic: being together, in the middle of the street, in broad daylight, and occupying the city as a militant gesture. .”

César 2024 – Judith Godrèche: “For some time now, I have been talking, but I can’t hear you”

The festival released a press release to let it be known that they wanted “make these testimonies resonate” via this broadcast, and Iris Knobloch, its president, took advantage of an interview with Paris Match to clarify this about the wave #MeToo who is about to storm the Croisette:

“We are extremely attentive to what is happening today, we are monitoring the situation closely. If the case of an accused person arises, we will ensure that we make the right decision on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the board of directors and stakeholders But we would also discuss the work to see what is best for her. She is the real star.

Also questioned about non-parity within the selectionof which only 4 of the 22 films in the running for the Palme d'Or are directed by women, and 20% in the entire competition, she says she does not want to establish quotas, “double-edged”she explains: “We must not create a feeling of illegitimacy for a woman. We are seeing a very clear increase in the submission of projects from female directors (…) But the Festival must remain in its role and only base itself on on the quality of the film.”

We will undoubtedly know more this afternoon, the general delegate of the Cannes festival, Thierry Frémaux, having to give his traditional pre-event press conference.

Let's remember that it's Greta Gerwig, barely recovered from the crazy success of barbie, who will chair the main jury. The 77th Cannes Film Festival will take place from Tuesday May 14 to Saturday May 24, 2024.

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