Thierry Fremaux, the director of the Cannes Film Festival, expressed openness to welcoming climate activists onto the event’s glamorous red carpet. This comes as the film industry’s grand showcase is gearing up for launch amid a surge of activism on both sides of the Atlantic.
Fremaux also mentioned that artists attending the festival are free to debate the implications of the ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike. He shared that he has engaged in “constructive conversations” with France’s CGT union, which had previously threatened to disrupt the festival by cutting off power in response to pension reform protests.
Historically, the city of Cannes has prohibited demonstrations near the festival’s hub to maintain the primary focus on the films. This year’s lineup features “La Chimera” by Alice Rohrwacher and “Fallen Leaves” by Aki Kaurismaki.
However, the convergence of at least three significant protest movements has posed a unique challenge for the festival’s organizers.
“We are currently in discussions with Cyril Dion, a French filmmaker and climate activist, as a major climate action day is slated for the upcoming Monday,” Fremaux disclosed during a press conference.
“It is plausible that we might invite them to the top of the red carpet steps to voice their concerns,” he added.
Fremaux noted that it was too premature to predict the impact of the writers’ strike on the festival but stressed that the right to strike must be respected.
“We will see if the actors and writers here for their films wish to discuss this issue – they will certainly be encouraged to do so,” he stated.
Fremaux revealed that their dialogue with the CGT union – one of the festival’s founding members – had been fruitful, and no definite plans to cut power had been disclosed yet.
The union has declared its intentions to stage protests outside the off-limits zones.
The festival “is a safe space for the duration of the event but also a magnet for those seeking to amplify their demands,” Fremaux said.
The Writers Guild of America initiated a work stoppage on May 2, after negotiations for a new labour agreement, which included higher wages, fell through with Hollywood studios such as Netflix and Walt Disney.
Meanwhile, France has been in unrest due to widespread protests against government plans to increase the retirement age.
In a time when activism increasingly influences major public events, the Cannes Film Festival, a long-standing monument to cinema, is not immune. As the world watches, this year’s festival could become a stage for more than just movies. It also highlights the pressing issues of our time – environmental concerns, labour rights, and social changes. How the festival navigates these currents could set the tone for future Cannes and other global cinematic and cultural gatherings editions.
