Cannes Mayor and Far-Right MPs Back Canal+ Against Artists
David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes and former Les Républicains member, denounced on Monday, May 18, the 'bad faith' of film industry figures threatened with retaliation by Canal+ CEO Vincent Bolloré. Meanwhile, elected officials from the National Rally (RN) welcomed the end of what they see as the 'immunity' of a negatively perceived French cinema. The controversy stems from Canal+’s decision to cut funding to films whose creators signed an open letter criticizing Bolloré’s influence on media and culture. Lisnard accused the artists of hypocrisy, while RN politicians framed the move as a necessary correction to an elitist film industry. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between French cinema and media conglomerates, with political figures aligning against the artistic community.
Key facts
- David Lisnard is the mayor of Cannes and former Les Républicains member.
- Lisnard criticized the 'bad faith' of film personalities threatened by Canal+.
- The statement was made on Monday, May 18, 2026.
- RN elected officials welcomed the end of French cinema's 'immunity'.
- Canal+ CEO Vincent Bolloré is at the center of the controversy.
- Artists had signed an open letter against Bolloré's influence.
- Canal+ retaliated by threatening to cut funding to signatories.
- The dispute involves political support for Canal+ against artists.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent Bolloré
Institutions
- Canal+
- Les Républicains
- National Rally (RN)
- Le Monde
Locations
- Cannes
- France