In a significant development reflecting the impact of the #MeToo movement, France's film producers and actors unions have unanimously approved new measures to address gender-based and sexual violence and harassment within the industry. Various French industry associations, including the union of independent producers, the association of independent producers, the union of cinema producers, and the professional union of dramatic artists, have endorsed an amendment to their collective agreement. This amendment mandates harassment training for producers and ensures the protection of minors on film sets, among other provisions.
These new measures align with the recent announcement by the French film board, the CNC, which will require similar anti-abuse measures as a prerequisite for receiving government subsidies. Given the significant role of CNC funding in French cinema, these measures are expected to become standard practice across the industry. The CNC is set to launch harassment training programs later this summer.
However, the CNC's president, Dominique Boutonnat, is facing sexual assault allegations and is scheduled to stand trial in June, although he denies the accusations. Calls for his dismissal have been mounting, with over 500 members of the French industry signing a petition demanding his immediate removal. Demonstrators gathered outside CNC headquarters in Paris to protest and urge Boutonnat's suspension until the conclusion of his trial.
Despite initial resistance to the #MeToo movement in France, recent high-profile allegations against prominent figures like Gérard Depardieu have fueled its momentum. Depardieu is set to stand trial in October on charges of sexual assault brought by two women who allege he assaulted them on the set of the film The Green Shutters in 2021. The movement has also been championed by filmmaker turned activist Judith Godrèche, who has shared her own experiences of being groomed by older directors during her teenage years in the 1980s.
Godrèche's advocacy efforts, including speeches to France's parliament, have played a pivotal role in driving the industry changes. Her short film 'Moi Aussi' (Me Too), inspired by stories of abuse shared by over 6,000 victims, premiered at Cannes' Un Certain Regard sidebar, underscoring the ongoing push for accountability and reform within the French film industry.
