Cineastas and Writers Unite Against the Rise of the Far Right in France
A Bold Statement from the Film Industry
Over 600 French cinema professionals, led by renowned actresses Juliette Binoche and Adèle Haenel, have voiced their concerns regarding the alarming rise of the far right in France. Their protest is particularly aimed at media mogul Vincent Bolloré, whose extensive media empire includes Channel Plus, the far-right CNews channel, Vivendi, Hachette Livres, and the weekly publication Le Journal du Dimanche.
This significant declaration was published in the newspaper Libération at the outset of the Cannes Film Festival. The letter comes in the wake of a mass exodus from the Grasset publishing house, where over a hundred prominent writers—such as Bernard-Henri Lévy, Laurent Binet, and Virginie Despentes—resigned in protest against a so-called “ideological war” being waged against culture and media. This upheaval was triggered by the dismissal of editor Olivier Nora, reportedly orchestrated by Bolloré himself.
The Media Magnate’s Influence
Vincent Bolloré is known for his historical ties to politicians like Nicolas Sarkozy and his current affiliations with far-right figures such as Jordan Bardella and Éric Zemmour, both of whom have published their recent works under Bolloré’s Fayard publishing label. In response to the authors’ departure, Bolloré dismissed their concerns, labeling them as a “small caste that considers itself above everything” while identifying himself as a “Christian Democrat.”
At 74, Bolloré is among the world’s 250 richest individuals, with an estimated fortune of over €9 billion. His recent acquisition of 34% of UGC theaters across France raises alarms among filmmakers, who fear his intentions to take over the entire movie production chain— from financing to release on both big and small screens.
A Critical Warning
The filmmakers’ joint letter articulates a stark warning: allowing the French cinema to fall into the hands of a far-right owner could lead to film standardization and an “assault on the collective imagination.” Signatories of the letter include respected directors like Raymond Depardon and Arthur Harari, as well as producers such as Rémi Bonhomme.
The letter illuminates how, beyond his role as a businessman, Bolloré supports a “far-right civilizational project” through his media channels. For instance, his outlet CNews is currently under judicial investigation for disparaging remarks made against Bally Bagayoko, the Black mayor of Saint-Denis, who faced derogatory attacks live on air.
Cultural Implications at Stake
The filmmakers emphasize that although Bolloré’s ideological influence in film content has so far been subtle, it is unlikely to remain that way. They urge the defense of cinematic independence against the encroaching far-right agenda. The unprecedented concentration of funding in Bolloré’s hands could offer him unchecked power in the future.
Adding another layer to this situation, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and a potential candidate for the 2027 presidential elections, has proposed significant budget cuts to cultural funding and has criticized the model of the National Centre for Cinema (CNC). Le Pen’s deputies have launched attacks on public broadcaster France Télévisions, a key contributor to film production in France.
A Call to Action
The filmmaker and writer David Dufresne articulated the urgency of the situation, stating that “Bolloré is profiting from ideology rather than literature.” In a symbolic act of protest, he severed his ties with Grasset, paralleling the mass resignations. He joined forces with over a hundred independent booksellers also standing against Bolloré’s influence: “Let us not allow Bolloré’s sprawling power to co-opt our ideas and bookstores.”
As this ideological battle unfolds, the collective voice of French cinema and literature rings louder than ever, acting as a formidable barrier against the advance of extremism in culture.