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Delon, set for Cannes honour, says he is 'irreproachable' as an actor

News Service
15:17 - 19/05/2019 Pazar
Update: 15:19 - 19/05/2019 Pazar
REUTERS
Alain Delon
Alain Delon

GREAT STRIDES?

In the wake of "Me Too" movement to demand greater respect and representation for women, which erupted following a wave of sexual harassment scandals that rocked the movie industry, the Cannes prize has prompted criticism.

Melissa Silverstein, the founder of women's advocate group Women and Hollywood, called out the Cannes festival for honouring "these abhorrent values" with Delon's prize.

An online petition launched from the United States decrying the award had by Sunday reached just over 25,500 signatories.

"The festival has really tried to make great strides with their organisation and ... this year they doubled the number of women in competition," said Rhona Richford, a Hollywood Reporter journalist based in France. "And so I think that doing that on one hand and turning around and giving this just shows an error in judgement."

Cannes festival organisers defended their choice, saying Delon was "not perfect" but was being recognised for his acting career. The ceremony will take place later on Sunday.

"We're not giving him the Nobel Peace Prize," festival director Thierry Fremaux told a news conference earlier in the week.

Some fellow actors also came to Delon's defence.

"What Alain Delon says is his own business, whether we agree with him or not," said French actress Virginie Ledoyen, who is President of the jury handing out Cannes' "Queer Palm" award for LGBT-relevant films this year. "He's a magnificent actor who really shaped cinema."

#Alain Delon
#Cannes
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