CANNES, France (AP) 鈥 The Cannes Film Festival barred French actor Th茅o Navarro-Mussy from attending the premiere of the competition entry 鈥淐ase 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 T茅l茅rama that Navarro-Mussy would not be allowed to attend the red carpet premiere of 鈥淐ase 137" ("Dossier 137" in France) on Thursday night at Cannes. He has a supporting role in the film.
T茅l茅rama 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 T茅l茅rama reported the three woman plan to appeal.
鈥淚t is because there is an appeal, and therefore the investigation is still active, that the case is not suspended," Fremaux told the French magazine. 鈥淲hen a legal decision becomes final, the situation changes.鈥
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 T茅l茅rama.
Navarro-Mussy's attorney, Marion Pouzet-Gagliardi told T茅l茅rama: 鈥淚 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 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.
opened hours after French actor and handed a 18-month suspended prison sentence. When asked about the Depardieu verdict, Juliette Binoche, Cannes jury president, said that 鈥渢he festival is following this trend in social and political life.鈥
鈥淭he festival is in step with what鈥檚 happening today,鈥 Binoche said. 鈥#MeToo took some time to gain strength. We reacted very strongly recently."
On Thursday, the French production company of 鈥淐ase 137,鈥 Haut et Court, said it last week received a warning about the situation.
鈥淓ven 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,鈥 the company said in a statement.
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