«Unfounded and ungrateful»: David Lisnard criticizes film professionals who signed the anti-Bolloré petition

The Cannes Film Festival, usually a bastion of artistic expression, has become the stage for a heated debate over political influence in French cinema. Cannes Mayor David Lisnard has launched a scathing attack on the signatories of a petition published in Libération, which decries the 'growing influence of the far-right' on the film industry. Lisnard, speaking to BFMTV, did not mince words, labeling the petition's claims as 'unfounded, ungrateful, and perhaps a bit foolish.' He further accused the filmmakers of 'biting the hand that feeds them,' a strong rebuke suggesting their grievances are misplaced and potentially harmful to the very ecosystem that supports them. This strong reaction comes as Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada declared his group would cease collaborations with those who signed the petition. Saada views the petition as an 'injustice' to his teams who strive to uphold Canal+'s independence and diverse programming choices. The signatories include prominent figures like Juliette Binoche and Anna Mouglalis, making this a significant clash within the French cultural elite. Lisnard argues that the diversity of films shown at Cannes itself disproves claims of far-right interference, asserting that French cinema critically needs Canal+'s support and funding, and that any ideological leanings in their financing choices would warrant condemnation, but he believes this is not the case. The local perspective in France sees this as a microcosm of a broader cultural and political divide, where artistic freedom is debated against concerns of political bias and national identity.

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They should have gone to see the film about Jean Moulin, they would have understood what the real Resistance was.