Harari Defends Bolloré Letter as Canal+ Severs Ties
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- Arthur Harari signed an open letter warning about Vincent Bolloré’s growing influence over French media and entertainment, though he noted he does not agree with every line of the text.
- Arthur Harari told the Cannes press conference that his criticism targets media concentration, not the Canal+ editorial team, which he respects for its commitment to cinema diversity.
- Maxime Saada announced that Canal+ will no longer work with the roughly 600 cinema professionals who signed the “Time to Switch‑Off Bolloré” letter, sparking controversy in the French film community.
- Vincent Bolloré holds a 30% stake in Canal+ and is poised to acquire a 34% stake in mini‑major UGC, with an option to buy it outright by 2028, consolidating a far‑right‑leaning media empire.
- CNC (National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image) faces calls from National Rally proponents to dismantle it, a threat Harari highlighted as part of the broader political risk to French cinema.
Why it matters: Canal+’s boycott cuts off funding and distribution for 600 filmmakers, while Bolloré’s expanding control threatens editorial independence and could reshape financing for French and European cinema.
