A high-ranking film executive who has ties to a co-parallel event at the Cannes Film Festival has been suspended over a public s*xual violence accusation. The accusation came out during a roundtable on s*xual assault organised by France’s National Centre for Cinema (CNC), and it immediately brought attention to the case. For the unversed, the suspect is the vice president of ACID (Association for the Distribution of Independent Cinema), which is another section of the official Cannes Festival.
Film Executive Banned From Cannes Red Carpet For S*xual Assualt
The ACID holds a reputation for highlighting debut filmmakers and experimental cinema, and although independent, it closely aligns with the larger festival. The incident unfolded during a public panel on Thursday, where a woman in attendance stood up and directly accused the executive of s*xual assault. According to French MP Erwan Balanant, who was present at the session, the woman spoke out with “great courage” and was immediately supported by organisations that assist survivors of s*xual violence. “She was helped on the spot by groups present for this exact reason,” he told AFP.
To the allegations, ACID released a statement concerning the executive’s immediate suspension. The organisation also confirmed that an independent inquiry has been initiated to examine the claims. In accordance with French privacy laws, the name of the accused has remained undisclosed. This morning, at a public forum, one of the participants brought up allegations against one of our present vice presidents, related to actions that amount to sexual violence,” ACID co-presidents said. “As a precautionary measure, we have suspended the person pending an investigation by an independent body.
The incident is just the latest instance of increasing pressure on the Cannes Film Festival and its response to s*xual abuse. Activists and lawmakers have been pushing for greater accountability within French cinema. Only hours earlier, Cannes organizers had excluded a French actor who has been charged with rape by three former girlfriends from the premiere of a competing Palme d’Or film.
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