Home / Arts and Entertainment / Canal+ Boss Defends Actions Amid Blacklist Accusations
Canal+ Boss Defends Actions Amid Blacklist Accusations
29 May
Summary
- Canal+ CEO denies creating a blacklist of petition signatories.
- Company invested €160 million annually in French cinema.
- Filmmakers' regard for Canal+ will influence project assessment.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada has sought to clarify controversial remarks made at Cannes, denying any intention to create a blacklist of film professionals who signed a petition critical of Vincent Bolloré's influence and Canal+'s media holdings.
Saada stated during Canal+ Group's general assembly that his comments were distorted, emphasizing the company's substantial role as a financial backer of French cinema, with voluntary annual investments of €160 million.
He asserted that while Canal+ would not hunt down petition signatories, their regard for the company would now be a factor in assessing future film projects.
The controversy arose after approximately 600 film professionals signed a petition expressing concerns over Canal+'s stake in UGC and the broader media concentration under Bolloré.
This petition later grew to over 3,500 signatures, attracting international support.
Saada highlighted that signatories represented only a small fraction of the French film industry's workforce.
He also defended Canal+'s commitment to supporting French and European cinema, citing investments in diverse films and upcoming projects like a new Asterix movie.
Additionally, Canal+ detailed international expansion plans, including its acquisition of African pay-TV giant MultiChoice and increased investment in African storytelling.
