The #MeToo movement explodes at the Cannes Film Festival: nine women accuse producer Alain Sarde of abuse
The Weinstein of French cinema
More than a hundred film personalities such as Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Adjani denounce the inaction of the authorities in a manifesto
The producer Alain Sarde at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014
On the very day of its opening, a dampened by rain day, the Cannes Film Festival was shaken by accusations of sexual assault by nine women against producer Alain Sarde. It was the magazine Elle that documented the testimonies of rape and harassment cases that mostly occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, though no legal complaints were filed at that time. The victims were underage or very young and were making their way in the world of acting.
Sarde, a sort of French Harvey Weinstein, producer of films like The Pianist by Roman Polanski, Hail Mary by Jean-Luc Godard, A Sunday in the Country by Bertrand Tavernier, or Wild Reeds directed by André Techiné, has denied all accusations through his lawyer, who has pointed out that they are facts that are completely foreign to him. “Alain Sarde refutes the accusations with the utmost firmness and states that he has never used the slightest violence or coercion in his relationships with women, whose consent has always been essential to him.”
Alain Sarde refutes the accusations with the utmost firmness and states that he has never used the slightest violence or coercion in his relationships with women, whose consent has always been essential to him
The magazine publishes testimonies from seven anonymous accusers, such as an actress who appeared in television series in the nineties and recounts that in 1985, when she was 15 years old, the producer raped her under the pretext of a professional meeting for a role at his apartment in Paris. The other six also describe being invited to the producer's home, where they experienced sexual assaults.
Only two interpreters have given their real names, Annelise Hesme and Laurence Côte. Hesme, who was 20 years old in 2001 when she met Sarde to audition for a role in one of his films, explains that the producer suggested she work as an escort at a party: “I organize dinners with actors, directors, distributors, and they like to have beautiful and witty women like you at their table. Of course, you get paid, and then, if there's someone you like in the group, you're free to earn more money...” the producer told her at the time. Hesme fled as he shouted, “What the hell do you want, bitches!” When the actress called her agent to tell him what happened, he suggested it was better not to say anything. “He's the biggest producer in Paris. It's your word against his.”
The actress Annelise Hesme
On her part, Côte, winner of the César for Best New Actress in 1997 for Thieves, produced by Sarde, claims that the producer tried to go too far with her and she was able to escape his intentions, but that afterwards her career was harmed. “I never acted in any of his movies again. I thought that with a César I would achieve something... But I didn't like the seduction, I didn't know how to swim in turbulent waters, and it's a world of sharks. It really burned me.”
Sarre is just the first name on a list of sexual offenders within the film industry that is expected to come to light during the event, as was suggested a few days ago. This information coincides with the publication in the newspaper Le Monde of a column in which a hundred personalities from the world of cinema, including actresses Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Adjani, and Emmanuelle Béart, denounce the authorities' inaction in the face of reports of sexual abuse in the industry and demand a comprehensive law against sexual violence.
The publication aims to raise awareness against a phenomenon that will undoubtedly affect the prestigious competition celebrating its 77th edition until May 25th.
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“Our testimonials have brought to light a reality that was denied: sexist and sexual violence is systemic, not exceptional. But are they really listening to us?” wonder the signatories, including performers who have spoken out as victims, such as Judith Godrèche, a flag bearer of the French #metoo movement since she reported this year that she was raped and abused by two directors when she was a teenager. Her activism led to the National Assembly setting up an investigation commission. In fact, the actress will present her short film Moi, aussi, on sexual violence this Wednesday in Cannes at the opening ceremony of the Un Certain Regard section and at the open-air cinema on the beach in the French Riviera town.
In their manifesto, they call for “a comprehensive law” against this type of violence “that is ambitious and well-resourced” because in their opinion “despite the courage of the victims, impunity is on the rise.” They also demand specialized brigades or the prohibition of investigating the sexual past of the victims, for whom they request immediate and free access to psychological assistance.
The opinion of Greta Gerwig and J.A. Bayona
The concern about the issue has reached the jury of the official section of the festival, chaired by Greta Gerwig. “I think that people in the film community are telling stories and trying to make things better. It's about building a safe environment, it's something that is being discussed and will continue to be. We are moving in the right direction,” says the director of Barbie during a press conference.
The members of the jury of the official section during the press conference. Gerwig in the middle, and J.A. Bayona sitting on the right
Barcelona director Juan Antonio Bayona, a member of the jury, has also shared his opinion on the matter: “The issue of sexual violence does not specifically affect cinema, but rather the society we live in, and cinema reflects that. Here we are to evaluate films that are in touch with the current moment we are living in, and obviously we are all sensitive to it.”