The team behind the scenes Warrantyone of the headlines of the French competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, tapped into the current debate about Canal+ and Vincent Bolloré’s growing control over the company during a press conference this morning.
“I think this is a big waste. I think it might have been an uncontrolled reaction, which in my opinion is not justified in any way,” Hugo Sélignac, the producer of the song. warranty, he said in response to a question about the debate.
“However, we have this threat, and we will have to deal with it. People have signed a petition, and they have the right to have their opinions. But all this has gone too far. We have these organizations that finance French cinema, and all this is starting to shake.”
He continued: “This makes me sad. We all agree that this is a hasty decision that creates some kind of blockade…Now there is a real war going on, which I find very upsetting.”
Alain Attal, another Garance producer, agreed and called the situation “very upsetting.”
“I understand that these people are upset, given all the support they have given us over the past 10 years,” he said. “As producers, we get strong support. We never try to influence us.”
Launched on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival, the open book entitled “Time to Turn Off Bolloré” was signed by 600 cinema professionals, including Juliette Binoche and Cannes 2026 Palme d’Or contenders Arthur Harari and Bertrand Mandico.
The letter was aimed at Canal+ Group’s recent acquisition of a 34% stake in the production, distribution, and exhibition of French UGC giant, with an option to buy it outright in 2028. The letter warned that it marked a new step in “Vincent Bolloré’s expansion strategy”, suggesting that it was part of a larger project “to suppress the right reaction, in France.
Warranty director Jeanne Herry said she understands why “people are afraid.”
“Canal+ is the most important distributor in my life. They support and follow me, and they have already allowed me to make the films I want to make,” he said.
“The French system of cinema is amazing. We produce three films worldwide. Cancel plus is at the center of that. A marriage based on love, at the same time.”
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada spoke with the book at the Canal+ Group’s annual producers’ lunch on Sunday on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival.
“I saw this list of petitions as unfair to the Canal groups that are committed to protecting the independence of Canal+, and in all the diversity of its options. And because of that, I will no longer work, I no longer wish Canal+ to work with the people who signed this petition,” Saada was quoted by French Newswire AFP and Le Film having the Français a speech paper.
The editors of the open book have responded.
“These tactics of intimidation are familiar to many shareholders in his group, Vincent Bolloré,” the book editors, organized under the banner of Zapper Bolloré (Switch-Off Bolloré), in a statement sent to Deadline.
“Our open letter, in response to the takeover of the UGC, has only mentioned the aforementioned without blaming the Canal groups. However, this threat confirms our fears. Can we believe in the independence of the Canal + billionaires, who cannot now be officially spoken about?,” it continued.
Cannes runs until May 23.
