The day after the opening of the Cannes Film Festival, a bill was presented this Wednesday to the National Assembly to strengthen the fight against violence in the world of cinema and culture.
“Do not sweep violence under the rug!” warn MPs Erwan Balanant (The Democrats) and Sandrine Rousseau (Ecologist), who initiated this text, in a statement. They presented this bill to “fight against violence in the cultural professions” to the press this Wednesday at the National Assembly, following the opening of the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
“One year after the publication of a parliamentary report on the subject, ‘charters have been signed, listening units have been created,’ but these ‘advancements remain fragile until they are based on a solid legislative foundation,’ they believe. ‘Nearly 10 years after the Weinstein scandal, voices have risen to denounce the violence and sexist and sexual harassment in the world of cinema and culture,’ remind the two parliamentarians.
“The careers of the aggressors continue, while those of the people who dared to speak out break,” the two MPs put forward various proposals, such as strengthening the “protection of minors, notably by establishing a mandatory integrity check for anyone working with this public.” They also call for “legal security for workers, by prohibiting any financial sanction, salary withholdings, or claims for damages against those who report acts of violence and sexist and sexual harassment.”
“A text with 19 articles,” the bill, which includes a total of 19 articles, also aims to “strengthen criminal sanctions, notably by creating a new offense requiring employers to report acts of violence and sexist and sexual harassment brought to their attention.”
Among other measures, the text includes strengthening the “working conditions of children under 7 years old,” with psychological consultation as a requirement, regulating castings to take place “during business hours” and “not in the evening or after a party.” The text also advocates for a professional qualification requirement to work as an agent.
“Stop ‘the talent-crushing machine,'” said eco-friendly MP Rousseau at a press conference alongside Balanant, who called for an end to “the excuse of creative genius” that could “do anything and get away with it.”
In their report published in April 2025, the parliamentary investigative commission on #metoo in culture reported “systemic sexual violence in this sector” and listed 86 recommendations to stop “the talent-crushing machine.” This commission was created following rape allegations made in early 2024 by actress Judith Godrèche when she was a minor against directors Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon.
To be considered, the bill carried by Sandrine Rousseau and Erwan Balanant must be included in a very busy legislative calendar.
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