Prime Minister Jean Castex is expected this Friday in Angoulême, alongside the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot, on the occasion of the opening of the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival. Many are the constraints weighing on the first meeting to return to the world of cinema, while the health situation continues to be at the heart of concerns in France. For example, the mask will be compulsory, including inside the rooms. Despite this and a range of films deemed a little weaker than usual, the cinema must resume its rights to break the habit taken by the French of turning to video on demand platforms. "My concern is that people do not return to the cinema, not because they are afraid of the Covid, but because they have become used to being at home", confides Dominique Besnehard, the delegate. general of the festival, Friday on Europe 1.
30,000 spectators expected
At least the stars have responded. Isabelle Huppert, Gérard Depardieu, Virginie Efira and Kad Merad will make the trip to present their film. Masked, of course, in the city and in the hall. This is the condition set by the prefecture.
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You will also need to reserve your seat in advance. Despite the organization's efforts, attendance will be down compared to last year. The goal is to reach 30,000 spectators, against 47,000 last year. But for Dominique Besnehard, the essential is elsewhere: "You cannot relive a year without cinema. This is the pressure."
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"All eyes are on us"
The Delegate General also recognizes that the expectations are particularly high this year. "Me, that's it, I'm taking Euphytosis, because all eyes are on us. We absolutely must not take a wrong step."
One week before the opening of the Deauville American Film Festival, Angoulême is indeed a test. The Norman festival will take place without any American. All the personalities being blocked in their country.