French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard said the decision by Canal+ to boycott cinema professionals who signed an anti-Bolloré petition was disproportionate.
The government's intervention highlights a growing tension between France's state-supported cultural sector and the private media influence of billionaire Vincent Bolloré. This clash has now reached the highest levels of the ministry during one of the industry's most high-profile events.
On Tuesday, May 19, Pégard said the situation during a government questions session in Paris [2]. The controversy began on Sunday, May 18, when Maxime Saada, the head of Canal+, announced a boycott of those who signed a collective open letter [1].
The petition was signed by approximately 600 cinema professionals [1]. These individuals used the tribune to denounce the influence of Vincent Bolloré and the far-right on the French film industry. The signatories expressed concerns that such influence could compromise artistic independence, and diversity in cinema.
Pégard said the response from the Canal+ chief was excessive. While she did not name the individuals specifically, she said for both the signatories and the head of Canal+ to find a way back to a dialogue [1].
The friction between the media mogul's interests and the creative community has intensified at the Cannes Film Festival, where many of the affected professionals are currently present. The boycott targets a significant portion of the industry's workforce, potentially impacting future production and distribution deals on the network.
“the decision by Canal+ to boycott cinema professionals who signed an anti-Bolloré petition was disproportionate”
This conflict underscores the fragile balance in France between corporate media ownership and the state's mandate to protect cultural exception. By labeling the boycott 'disproportionate,' the Ministry of Culture is signaling that while private companies have autonomy, the systemic exclusion of hundreds of industry professionals over political speech could threaten the stability of the national film ecosystem.
