May 19, 2023 - 6:30pm
In the words of the writer and diarist Vladislav Davidzon, it was an event “indelibly connected to both the filmic exploits and monstrous predations of Harvey Weinstein… [to become] the symbolic birthplace of the #MeToo movement”. Now, the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, back in full force this year after weathering various culture wars and Covid restrictions, has reinvented itself as the capital of the anti-woke pushback.
This started a month before its official opening this week, when festival chief Thierry Frémaux unveiled the 76th edition’s official poster, a 1968 black-and-white still of Catherine Deneuve in Alain Cavalier’s La Chamade, shot in nearby Saint-Tropez. The 79-year-old actress, who has several times been a member of the Cannes Jury and presided over it with Clint Eastwood in 1994, remains quite possibly the star assoluta of French cinema.
Deneuve was also the best-known signatory of the 2018 open manifesto written by 100 Frenchwomen opposing the conflation of sexual assault and that element of grown-up life that allows men to compliment or proposition you. (For what it’s worth, I not only co-signed but took a small part in writing the open letter during one feverish weekend alongside four friends. Until Deneuve called us out of the blue the following Monday, we weren’t sure that anyone would pay attention to it. Be careful what you wish for.)
Deneuve, as figurehead of the 100 Women, was accused of treason to the Cause by ferret-faced little commissars who until that moment had not yet managed to fully enter the French scene, and were seemingly intent on catching up as virulently as possible. Like J.K. Rowling, she wasn’t exactly cancellable, given her status as one of the country’s most bankable stars. Afterwards, hiring or inviting her became a statement.
In the past few years, a number of with-it French actors and film people have staged the depressingly familiar walk-outs, picketing, disrupting of events and boycotts of anyone deemed, like Deneuve, “problematic” — that weasel word of the Overseers of Righteousness. Woody Allen, beloved of European viewers and producers, became one recipient of such adverse attention. So did Roman Polanski, whose An Officer and a Spy won three César Awards in 2020 during an evening in which police had to use tear gas against violent demonstrators.
Last week the actress Adèle Haenel, who was the most prominent figure to walk out of the Césars in response to Polanski’s win (and who has since become the self-appointed figurehead for the purification of French movieland), wrote an open letter against the opening night historical biopic Jeanne du Barry.
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SubscribeHow j’adore the articles by A-EM! The last one landed on a Friday evening too, and provided a sublime start to the weekend.
I can’t say i’m a fan of Johnny Depp, i find his acting style overblown, but the key point in the article involves the assumption of value in the production (whatever the artistic medium) over and above the traits of its creators.
This sentence:
Deneuve, as figurehead of the 100 Women, was accused of treason to the Cause by ferret-faced little commissars who until that moment had not yet managed to fully enter the French scene, and were seemingly intent on catching up as virulently as possible.
deserves an Unherd Oscar for its wit and pinpoint nailing of those whose goal is to try to undermine civilisation through their Puritanical sniffling.
She writes in English more beautifully than the vast majority of native English speakers, which is an accomplishment in itself. I believe it emanates from her sense of self-knowledge, a prerequisite for a humane response to any challenge, whereas her critics flounder in the hell of Unbeing, unable to comprehend our humanity and hiding in the shadows with no more intent than to cower beneath the latest cultural fad,
I can’t say i’m a fan of Johnny Depp, i find his acting style overblown …
I am of the opposite persuasion. From “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” to “Finding Neverland” to his hilarious turn in the 1st “Pirates of the Caribbean” I am impressed by his versatility and ability at conjuring a character.
Of course as in any creative endeavour, there will be some turkeys.
I can’t say i’m a fan of Johnny Depp, i find his acting style overblown …
I am of the opposite persuasion. From “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” to “Finding Neverland” to his hilarious turn in the 1st “Pirates of the Caribbean” I am impressed by his versatility and ability at conjuring a character.
Of course as in any creative endeavour, there will be some turkeys.
How j’adore the articles by A-EM! The last one landed on a Friday evening too, and provided a sublime start to the weekend.
I can’t say i’m a fan of Johnny Depp, i find his acting style overblown, but the key point in the article involves the assumption of value in the production (whatever the artistic medium) over and above the traits of its creators.
This sentence:
Deneuve, as figurehead of the 100 Women, was accused of treason to the Cause by ferret-faced little commissars who until that moment had not yet managed to fully enter the French scene, and were seemingly intent on catching up as virulently as possible.
deserves an Unherd Oscar for its wit and pinpoint nailing of those whose goal is to try to undermine civilisation through their Puritanical sniffling.
She writes in English more beautifully than the vast majority of native English speakers, which is an accomplishment in itself. I believe it emanates from her sense of self-knowledge, a prerequisite for a humane response to any challenge, whereas her critics flounder in the hell of Unbeing, unable to comprehend our humanity and hiding in the shadows with no more intent than to cower beneath the latest cultural fad,
Thank you so much;
“ferret-faced little commissars”
I can’t wait to reuse that – magnificent
. . . with their smelly little orthodoxies . . .
. . . with their smelly little orthodoxies . . .
Thank you so much;
“ferret-faced little commissars”
I can’t wait to reuse that – magnificent
This is wonderful to hear. Let the pushback catch fire!
This is wonderful to hear. Let the pushback catch fire!
“problematic” — that weasel word of the Overseers of Righteousness.
Love it!
“problematic” — that weasel word of the Overseers of Righteousness.
Love it!
The expression “Ferret-faced little commissars” has quite made my morning.
The expression “Ferret-faced little commissars” has quite made my morning.
Welcome news, indeed. I’m not keyed into how the movie business operates: does Cannes represent only the French cinema world, or does this show of resistance to woke extend to the broader, Western film world?
The French have always had a wise sense of caution about cultural imports from ‘the Anglo-Saxons’, so it presumably goes further than just a handful of ivory tower critics and intellectuals.
The French have always had a wise sense of caution about cultural imports from ‘the Anglo-Saxons’, so it presumably goes further than just a handful of ivory tower critics and intellectuals.
Welcome news, indeed. I’m not keyed into how the movie business operates: does Cannes represent only the French cinema world, or does this show of resistance to woke extend to the broader, Western film world?
Encouraging here in UK, with less than 18 months to go, to think our own ferret faced commissar, heir apparent to no 10, may not have the easy ride the polls are indicating.
Encouraging here in UK, with less than 18 months to go, to think our own ferret faced commissar, heir apparent to no 10, may not have the easy ride the polls are indicating.
Maybe it is just me but I read “who until that moment had not yet managed to fully enter the French scene,” as implying that the Deneuve letter had assisted the woke entry into France.
Hope not as it was a wonderful position taken by confident women who can appreciate a bit of male interest yet have the strength to dismiss the man when he is too… familiar. Definitely not victims.
Maybe it is just me but I read “who until that moment had not yet managed to fully enter the French scene,” as implying that the Deneuve letter had assisted the woke entry into France.
Hope not as it was a wonderful position taken by confident women who can appreciate a bit of male interest yet have the strength to dismiss the man when he is too… familiar. Definitely not victims.
Add Billy Connolly’s phrase “permanently puckered lips of protestant disapproval” to “ferret-faced little commissars and you have a near prefect description of what the Overseers of Righteousness typically look like, namely, “ferret-faced little commissars with permanently puckered lips of presbyterian disapproval”
Add Billy Connolly’s phrase “permanently puckered lips of protestant disapproval” to “ferret-faced little commissars and you have a near prefect description of what the Overseers of Righteousness typically look like, namely, “ferret-faced little commissars with permanently puckered lips of presbyterian disapproval”
Moutet conflates Depp, who was found innocent by his peers, with Polanski, a man who pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in order to avoid trial on even more serious charges. She seems to subscribe to a view that ‘artists’ can commit whatever crimes they wish. I also doubt that she has ever had her hair pulled. If she had, she would know how it hurts.
Moutet conflates Depp, who was found innocent by his peers, with Polanski, a man who pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in order to avoid trial on even more serious charges. She seems to subscribe to a view that ‘artists’ can commit whatever crimes they wish. I also doubt that she has ever had her hair pulled. If she had, she would know how it hurts.
After following Anne-Elizabeth’s link to her Telegraph piece, my admiration for her writing has only deepened.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/metoo-backlash-joined-catherine-deneuve-standing-womens-right/
After following Anne-Elizabeth’s link to her Telegraph piece, my admiration for her writing has only deepened.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/metoo-backlash-joined-catherine-deneuve-standing-womens-right/
Having had Depp as a near neighbour in the S of France, I can confirm that he is rather a gent, good lad and was loved by locals and shops.
Having had Depp as a near neighbour in the S of France, I can confirm that he is rather a gent, good lad and was loved by locals and shops.
I like the article, but love the Asterix reference.
I like the article, but love the Asterix reference.
Speaking for ferrets, weasels and mustelids everywhere, please do not compare us to obviously inferior humans. 🙂
Now – let’s bring back Gerard Depardieu. France’s greatest living actor!!
Now – let’s bring back Gerard Depardieu. France’s greatest living actor!!
Gee. Film celebrities in a dust-up. Who cares, really?
You seem to!
You seem to!
Gee. Film celebrities in a dust-up. Who cares, really?