Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada Defends Response to Anti-Bolloré Petition, Denies Blacklist
Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+, has defended his decision to stop funding films by signatories of a petition published in mid-May that denounced the 'growing influence of the far right' on the French film industry and targeted conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Saada stated he 'assumes' his response but denied the existence of any 'blacklist' of blacklisted filmmakers. The petition, signed by over 200 industry figures, criticized Bolloré's media empire and its impact on cinema. Saada's announcement effectively cuts off Canal+ financing for future projects by those who signed the text, sparking debate over censorship and artistic freedom in France.
Key facts
- Petition published mid-May denounced far-right influence on cinema, targeting Vincent Bolloré.
- Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada announced cessation of funding for films by signatories.
- Saada denies existence of a 'blacklist' of filmmakers.
- Over 200 industry figures signed the petition.
- Bolloré is a conservative billionaire with significant media holdings.
- Canal+ is a major film financier in France.
- The controversy raises issues of censorship and artistic freedom.
- Saada 'assumes' his decision as a response to the petition.
Entities
Artists
- Maxime Saada
- Vincent Bolloré
- Juliette Binoche
- Swann Arlaud
- Jean-Pascal Zadi
- Adèle Haenel
- Arthur Harari
Institutions
- Canal+
- Le Monde
- UGC
- AFP
- RFI
Locations
- France
- Cannes