The Cannes Film Festival said it had barred an actor in a prominent French film from the red carpet on Thursday, May 15, because of sexual assault allegations against him. Théo Navarro-Mussy has a secondary role as a police officer in the film Dossier 137 by Dominik Moll, which is to premiere on Thursday in the festival's main competition.
According to French magazine Télérama, which broke the news, the actor was accused of rape by three former partners in 2018, 2019, and 2020, but the case was dropped last month for lack of evidence. The three women plan to appeal and file a civil lawsuit, Télérama said.
Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux confirmed to Télérama that Navarro-Mussy had been excluded because an appeal was underway. Navarro-Mussy's lawyer denied this.
"The procedure is still ongoing," Fremaux was quoted as saying.
The festival confirmed the decision and Fremaux's remarks when contacted by AFP.
A French parliamentary inquiry into the entertainment industry published its findings last month, with MPs concluding that abuse of performers was "endemic."
Inquiry chair Sandrine Rousseau, an outspoken feminist lawmaker from The Greens party, called on the Cannes Festival to set an example in stamping out sexual abuse, as well as physical and psychological violence.