After one of France’s top actors announced she was quitting the industry that she denounced for “complacency toward sexual aggressors”, Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Fremaux rejected her criticisms.
Adele Haenel, star of the 2019 Cannes entry Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, last week published an open letter in the Telerama magazine in which the 34-year-old said Cannes and other pillars of the French film industry are “ready to do anything to defend their rapist chiefs”.
Mr Fremaux strongly disagreed while speaking to journalists before the festival kicks off on Tuesday with the premiere of Maiwenn’s historical drama Jeanne Du Barry, starring Johnny Depp. “No doubt for somewhat radical reasons, she had to make this comment about Cannes, which was obviously false,” said Mr Fremaux.
In 2019, Haenel accused French director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her for years beginning from the age of 12. Ruggia has denied it.
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