In two weeks, if the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic didn’t exist, we’d be readying ourselves for the official unveiling of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival lineup. However, with the virus taking its toll on the world, not only are we definitely not getting a Cannes lineup announcement anytime soon, but we also might not get one at all in 2020. But that wouldn’t be the case if the festival decided to team up with one of the internet’s biggest streaming platforms, YouPorn.
READ MORE: Cannes Officials “Will Accept” Cancellation But Stress Postponement “Might Be Possible”
After the Cannes Film Festival postponement, YouPorn decided to write an open letter to the organizers of the event, offering the opportunity to stream the full lineup of films that were set to be announced in a “special section” on the popular website. And though it’s a very kind gesture, it appears that the folks at Cannes aren’t so excited about the idea and would rather wait and see what happens.
“We appreciate the prompt reply from Pierre Lescure, President of Cannes Film Festival, on our offer to stream the festival selections on YouPorn’s site,” said Charlie Hughes, Vice President of YouPorn. “Even though it breaks our heart that he doesn’t think it’s a good fit, we appreciate the response and want to keep the lines of communication open in case anything changes. We were happy to hear we put a smile on Mr. Lescure’s face during this difficult time.”
READ MORE: Jury President Spike Lee Agrees With Cannes Postponement: “We Are In A War-Like Time”
It’s great that Huges and YouPorn are willing to take Cannes’ reply of “no thanks” as a “no thanks…for now.” We’d hate for Lescure to completely write off the option of streaming the selections if the festival does, in fact, face cancellation. And if that’s the case, why wouldn’t the folks at Cannes not be interested in being featured prominently on one of the world’s most popular internet destinations? Is it because the festival is scared of open expressions of love between adults that don’t mind being filmed? Call me an uninformed American, but I thought Europeans were more open to the idea of sex and considered us to be the prudes? I digress.
READ MORE: Cannes In The Summer Could Be A Silver Lining For Awards Season
Well, regardless of the reasoning, it appears that folks will have to come up with other excuses for keeping YouPorn in their browser history. You can’t tell your spouse or significant other that it was in preparation of the Cannes Film Festival. But hey, what about Tribeca? That festival might need an online home.