Greta Gerwig addressed the growing #MeToo movement in France during the jury press conference on the opening day of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
When asked about the #MeToo-related rumors ahead of the festival, Gerwig said that the film community sharing stories and trying to make positive changes is beneficial. She mentioned seeing significant changes in the American film industry and emphasized the importance of continuing the conversation to keep things moving in the right direction.
Gerwig is the president of this year’s competition jury, which will award the prestigious Palme d’Or at the end of the 11-day festival starting Tuesday night. The jury includes Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona, Turkish actress and screenwriter Ebru Ceylan, Italian actor and producer Pierfrancesco Favino, actress Lily Gladstone from Killers of the Flower Moon, French actress Eva Green, Japanese filmmaker and producer Hirokazu Kore-eda, Lebanese actor and filmmaker Nadine Labaki, and French actor Omar Sy.
Bayona had a different view, echoing the thoughts of general delegate Thierry Fremaux, who said the festival should prioritize movies. Bayona stated that the issue of #MeToo is widespread and not specific to cinema and that the focus should be on the movies.
Competition jury president Greta Gerwig and jury members J.A. Bayona, Omar Sy, Lily Gladstone, Eva Green, Pierfrancisco Favino, Nadine Nabaki, Ebru Ceylan and Hirokazu Kore-eda at the #CannesFilmFestival jury press conference
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Labor unrest is another issue this year, with the French collective Sous les écrans la dèche calling for a strike. The group is protesting changes in labor policies that would cut their unemployment benefits by more than half. The organization includes festival workers like projectionists, drivers, and caterers.
Gerwig expressed support for labor movements, drawing parallels with recent union actions in the U.S. She hopes the festival workers can reach an agreement that benefits them and supports the festival.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the debate around Israel and Palestine were also discussed. When asked about Cannes’ decision to ban protests on the Croisette, Favino described the festival as a free space, meaning a place for seeking beauty and peace through films. He suggested that movies can remind people of the beauty in the world and promote peace.
The Cannes Film Festival begins on Tuesday night with the premiere of Quentin Dupieux’s French comedy The Second Act. Source
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