Festival director rows with police over riding eco bike on pavement
THE director of the Cannes film festival was involved in a dispute with a policeman after riding his eco-friendly bike outside one of the Riviera’s most glamorous nightspots.
Thierry Frémaux was filmed berating an officer who had asked him to stop outside the Carlton hotel which is favoured by Hollywood stars.
The argument, which was described as a “lively discussion” by the festival, is the latest row to centre on Frémaux, who has juggled a number of controversies at the event this year.
He had apparently been asked to stop as he rode his electric bicycle on the pavement toward the hotel entrance, according to witnesses, and was confronted by a policeman after he dismounted.
He had chosen the bike as his transport to reduce his carbon footprint
The tuxedoed Frémaux then demanded the officer’s name while pointing a finger in his face, before being shoved back by the far larger policeman, mobile phone footage shows. Frémaux continued the argument under the Calrton’s lavish portico as bystanders attempted to separate the two men, with the director claiming “you hit me”, and vowing to “make a complaint” that will “go very far”.
Footage of the argument shows another man approach Frémaux and tell him “if I may, sir, you were in the wrong”.
The incident reportedly happened in the early hours of May 18, but it had been kept quiet until footage emerged showing the altercation. It comes after Frémaux was forced to defend choosing Johnny Depp’s comeback film Jeanne Du Barry to open this year’s festival, despite actresses and activists criticising the decision to give a platform to the star who was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife Amber Heard. He denies the allegation.
Last week, Variety reported that Frémaux justified Depp’s role in the festival, saying he acts within the rule of law and the industry has not imposed any ban on the actor.
Cannes has also come in for criticism for including Le Retour in its official competition, despite claims of crew being mistreated on set, and a heavy fine being issued to producers because they did not declare that the film includes a sex scene with an underage actor. The film’s director, Catherine Corsini, has denied any wrongdoing.
Cannes film festival said of the latest incident: “At two in the morning, there was a lively discussion between a municipal police officer and Frémaux.
“The truncated video circulating on social networks is absolutely not an exact reflection. In the minutes that followed, a frank and cordial explication took place, bringing an end to the exchange. The chapter is closed.”