The debate continues on the distinction or not of a man and his artistic work.

The director of the Théâtre de la Colline on Tuesday refused to deprogram Bertrand Cantat, convicted of the murder of his partner Marie Trintignant in 2003, to whom he asked to compose the music for his next show.

In a press release, Wajdi Mouawad also refused to deprogram Jean-Pierre Baro, a director who had been the target of a rape complaint filed without follow-up, and who is directing a play for La Colline, one of the six national theaters in France.

The programming of the two artists aroused emotion among the # MeTooThéâtre movement, which has been gaining momentum in recent weeks.

Wajdi Mouawad does not seek "to convince anyone"

While affirming to adhere "unreservedly" to "the fight for equality between women and men and that against violence and sexual harassment", Wajdi Mouawad said refusing to "replace justice". “If someone scheduled or invited to the theater becomes involved in legal proceedings, I will urge them to withdraw from the programming until the work of justice has been completed. To date, no one is in this situation in the programming of the Théâtre de la Colline, ”said the director, who is also a playwright.

"So I do not see how I should (...) ask anyone to withdraw", further underlined the director, who commissioned Bertrand Cantat, formerly of the group Noir Désir, the music of his next show,

Mother 

(November 19-December 30).

“I'm not trying to convince anyone here.

And if the Minister of Culture or the President of the Republic, who appointed me, consider that my positions are contrary to the republican principles, that one or the other let me know and I will leave the direction of the theater on -field ".

A movement which "does not suffer from any nuance"

Asked Monday on France Inter, the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot had indicated that she had "not to intervene in the management of La Colline", but that she "regretted" that Bertrand Cantat was invited.

For his part, Wajdi Mouawad says he refuses to participate in a “unilateral” movement which “suffers from no nuance” and which “punishes beyond justice and law”.

This is not the first time that the two men have collaborated.

In 2011, the

Des Femmes 

trilogy

was directed by Wajdi Mouawad, with Bertrand Cantat who was to be on stage.

Faced with the controversy, the singer will not take the stage, neither in Canada nor at the Avignon Festival.

The director then decided to make Cantat's voice heard from a recording

Culture

Roselyne Bachelot "regrets" that Bertrand Cantat "was invited" to create the music for a show in Paris

By the Web

Rape, sexual assault… Thousands of testimonies poured into social networks

  • Violence against women

  • Feminicide

  • Bertrand cantat

  • Theater

  • Culture