The protagonist of the praised film Portrait of a woman on fire (2019) launched harsh words against the French film industry. In an open letter published in the magazine telerama, Adèle Haenel criticizes the impunity that various sexual offenders enjoy in French cinema, as well as the total indifference towards the victims who raised their voices as part of the #MeToo movement. Here the details.
What does the letter with which Adèle Haenel criticizes French cinema say?
The letter mentions Gerard Depardieu, Roman Polanski and Dominique Boutonnat. The first one is still active despite having rape charges and multiple accusations of sexual violence; in fact, in 2022 it was released green shutters, where he is the protagonist. For his part, Polanski (Rosemary’s Baby) pleaded guilty to child abuse in 1977, but before the sentence he moved to France, where he has lived ever since. And, Boutonnat has an accusation against him for sexual assaultbut was reelected as president of the National Film Board.
“Meanwhile, everyone is coming together to save the image of Depardieu, Polanski and Boutonnat. It makes them nervous and uncomfortable when the victims make too much noise; they would rather we continue to disappear and die in silence. They are ready to do whatever it takes to defend their rapist bosses, those who are so rich they believe they belong to a superior species, those who demonstrate this superiority… by objectifying women and subordinates..
In a context of historical social movement, we wait to see if the great figures of the film industry expect – like the sponsors of the luxury industry – police forces to ensure that everything happens as usual on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival ”.
Adele Haenel he retired film industry after accuse the French director, Christophe Ruggia, of having sexually harassed her for years beginning when she was 12. In the letter he reaffirms his withdrawal as a political act.
“I have decided to politicize my withdrawal from the film industry to denounce its widespread pandering to sex offenders..
I have no other weapon than my body and my integrity. Cancel culture in a primary sense: you have the money, the strength and the money, you enjoy it, but they won’t have me as a spectator. I cancel you from my world. I retire, I go on strike, I join my comrades whose search for meaning and dignity outweighs money and power.”
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What do you think?
Andrea Alexandra The girl with the mole next to her mouth, with wavy hair and who keeps talking about movies and series; that’s her.