The Cannes Film Festival has ignited a heated debate surrounding Canal+, a prominent player in the French film industry, and its controversial relationship with its billionaire shareholder, Vincent Bolloré. This controversy revolves around the question of whether Canal+, as France's most influential movie financier, should remain insulated from the conservative political leanings of its shareholder. The crux of the issue lies in the recent petition signed by over 600 film industry professionals, including renowned figures like Juliette Binoche and Arthur Harari, who criticized Bolloré's growing influence over French media and culture. The petition highlighted concerns about Canal+'s acquisition of a significant stake in the theater chain UGC and the potential rightward shift in the group's editorial line, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election where the far-right party Rassemblement National is a leading contender. The presence of CNews, a French equivalent to Fox News, further amplifies these concerns, as it has provided a mainstream platform to reactionary, far-right voices, making it the country's most-watched news channel.
The tension escalated when Canal+'s chairman, Maxime Saada, made a startling statement at the festival's annual producers luncheon, declaring that the company would no longer work with the signatories of the petition. This decision sparked a heated reaction, with some signatories, including Binoche and Jean-Pascal Zadi, reportedly reaching out to the group. Despite the threat of a "black list," an industry source revealed that Canal+ won't change its editorial policy and won't "track down" the signatories, except for a few filmmakers whose debut features were exclusively funded by Canal+.
Saada vigorously defended Canal+'s editorial independence, emphasizing that the company has been independent from Vivendi, which owns right-wing media outlets, for 18 months. Bolloré, the largest shareholder with a 30% stake, officially retired as CEO in 2022 but still exerts influence through occasional attendance at green-lighting committees. Saada also addressed the company's investment in UGC, downplaying suggestions of an imminent takeover while leaving the door open for a future acquisition, which he framed as a commitment to French culture and cinema.
The controversy extends beyond Canal+ to other media outlets under Bolloré's control, such as Europe 1 and JDD, which have undergone significant editorial overhauls and leadership changes. The tension between Canal+ and France's predominantly left-leaning film community is expected to intensify in the run-up to the 2027 presidential election, with the Rassemblement National polling as a frontrunner. The question remains: what will happen beyond 2027, especially if a far-right government reforms France's cultural financing model? The ongoing negotiations over the renewal of Canal+'s agreement with film guilds to invest in French and European films could provide a measure of reassurance, ensuring Canal+'s continued support for French cinema, regardless of political shifts.
