The management of the Caesars announced Thursday evening their "collective resignation". A dramatic coup two weeks before the awards ceremony for French cinema, against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the functioning of the body deemed not very transparent. "The time to pass the hand has arrived, I think it's very good like that and I am delighted with the turn of events," responded Danièle Thompson, vice-president of the Academy. The sling against the Academy was declared during the dinner of revelations, on January 13th.
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A smoldering sling
At each speaking, the same reproach. The fact that the Academy refused the choice of two young actors to designate Claire Denis or Virginie Despentes as godmother. A new example for the detractors of the Terzian team of its autocratic functioning. A lot asked for more transparency in the appointment of the board of directors, parity too. Or, as at the Oscars, the possibility of voting to elect their presidents. Position occupied since 2003 by the same Alain Terzian.
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During the press conference of the nominees, the latter made some concessions, he announced that he would accept everything, except the questioning of his position. Concessions overshadowed by the twelve nominations of Roman Polanski and his film J'accuse . Proof of the disconnection between the Academy and the problems of society.
The rostrum as a knockout
The coup de grace arrived last Monday through a platform signed by all the stars of French cinema: Omar Sy, Agnès Jaoui, Marina Foïs, Michel Hazanavicius or Jacques Audiard. They demanded an in-depth reform. Two weeks before the ceremony, and fearing overflows, the Academy, where only 17% of women were seated, decided to scuttle itself.
Culture Minister Franck Riester asked for democratic functioning as well as requirements for transparency, parity and diversity.