Cannes Director Says Event Is Not "A Festival For Rapists" Amid Johnny Depp Controversy & Adele Haenel Open Letter

This year, the Cannes Film Festival actually broke its own record for the number of female filmmakers in the official competition. That’s great news for an event that has come under fire in recent years for having less diversity and inclusivity than other prestigious festivals. But we aren’t talking about this fact nearly as much as we would have if Cannes didn’t select a Johnny Depp feature for its Opening Film. That just brings to mind the event’s controversial decisions, as of late, with honoring filmmakers and actors who have been involved in sexual misconduct and abuse allegations. But according to the man behind Cannes, this event is not a “festival for rapists.”

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Speaking at a press conference to kick off the Cannes Film Festival (via our Editor-At-Large Gregory Ellwood, who was in attendance), Thierry Fremaux, the director of the event, was asked about the history of the festival, which has included controversial selections in the past, such as convicted rapist Roman Polanski being honored. As you might expect, Fremaux wasn’t pleased.

This topic came up because, recently, actress Adele Haenel (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”) wrote an open letter condemning the filmmaking industry for protecting men associated with sexual misconduct and sexual assault allegations and calling out Cannes for “defending their rapist chiefs,” including the aforementioned Polanski, as well as Gerard Depardieu and Dominique Boutonnat, the president of the National Film Board (CNC).

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“She didn’t think that when she came to Cannes unless she suffered from a crazy dissonance,” Fremaux said. “People use Cannes to talk about certain issues and it’s normal because we give them a platform.”

From there, Fremaux spoke directly to the press in the room and said, “But if you thought that it’s a festival for rapists, you wouldn’t be here listening to me, you would not be complaining that you can’t get tickets to get into screenings.”

Again, the controversy surrounding Cannes selections has reignited in 2023 because the Opening Film is none other than “Jeanne du Barry,” from director Maiwenn, which finds Johnny Depp starring as French king Louis XV. Depp, of course, recently has been embroiled in controversy surrounding his former relationship with Amber Heard, where there were allegations of abuse. That has made Depp someone who has struggled to find a major role in Hollywood in recent years, but his “comeback” film, “Jeanne du Barry,” was not only selected to screen at Cannes but is getting the premier slot of the event. 

It’s clear that Cannes is going to have these types of questions continue to be brought up if the event keeps selecting filmmakers and actors who are involved in controversy. And it seems as if Fremaux and his organization will remain defiant and choose the projects they want. 

The Cannes Film Festival kicks off on May 16.