French actor Théo Navarro-Mussy has been banned from walking the red carpet in Cannes because he faces accusations of rape and sexual assault. This is the first time an actor has been banned from the festival due to allegations of sexual violence.
Navarro-Mussy, who appears in Dominik Moll’s Dossier 137, which premieres in Cannes’ competition today, has been accused of “rape, physical and psychological violence” by three former partners. A court last month dismissed the original complaint filed by the alleged victims, but they have said they plan to file a civil case against the actor.
The festival confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Cannes general delegate Thierry Frémaux took the unprecedented move, in agreement with the film’s producers, to ban Navarro-Mussy from tonight’s gala ceremony. In an interview with French website Télérama, Frémaux justified his decision, noting that the case “remains ongoing” and that the ban would be lifted if the case was dismissed or if Navarro-Mussy was found not guilty.
Producers that submit their films to Cannes, Frémaux said, have to assure the festival that the “safety, integrity, and dignity” of people involved in the film have been respected “throughout the production process,” noting that “We must act on a case-by-case basis, especially when new elements emerge.”
The decision to ban the actor comes in the same week as French film star Gérard Depardieu (Green Card) was found guilty of sexual assault, and given an 18-month suspended sentence, in what has been France’s most high-profile #MeToo case.
