In an unprecedented way, the Élysée Palace praised the crucial role of France in the film industry and extolled the merits of its financing methods. This was an attempt to bridge the gaps that emerged during the 79th edition between a sector of the profession and Canal+.
A salute to the entire world of cinema assembled in Cannes. The tribute was not directed to Catherine Pégard, the new Minister of Culture, but to the President of the Republic and his wife, who, through a statement, paid homage to “actresses and actors, directors, screenwriters, and all those names in the credits of films that move us.”
As if to mediate, or at least put an end to, the new battle of Hernani that divided Canal+ and part of the profession during this 79th edition, the Élysée Palace thanked the “public and private funders” who, along with all the professions mentioned above, are vital for “an art that needs everyone to enchant us.”
Emmanuel Macron’s unprecedented statement in a fratricidal war whose consequences are yet to be fully realized, especially for the signatories of the “Zap Bolloré” petition, which made waves on the Croisette for two weeks. The statement emphasized the important role played by France in the films honored at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, which concluded on Saturday.
“Each of the ten award-winning films has a French producer or co-producer, and half of them were supported by the National Center for Cinema,” emphasized the Élysée Palace in the same statement.
“Dignified and committed celebration of this art”
The French presidency also praised the choices of the Cannes jury, led by the Korean director Park Chan-wook, who “looked the era in the face and placed the seventh art at the heart of the issues that shape our societies.”
Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu secured his second Palme d’Or at Cannes with “Fjord” on Saturday, a film that uncovers the fractures and contradictions of societies. Inspired by real events, the film is set in Norway, where a devout evangelical couple (Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve) and their five children initially seem to assimilate smoothly into a society that proclaims its tolerance and respect for minorities.
The closing ceremony broadcasted on France 2 attracted up to 2.8 million live viewers, according to Médiamétrie data released on Sunday.
