The cover of influential French film paper Le Film Français, featuring an image of only white males as representative of the country’s film business, has sparked a debate over diversity – or lack thereof – in the French film industry.

The cover photo for the magazine’s weekly issue released on Friday featured the headline “Objective: Reconquest” and a photo of seven industry power players including Pathé president Jérôme Seydoux surrounded by actors Vincent Cassel, Guillaume Canet, François Civil, Pierre Niney, Dany Boon and Pio Marmai. 

While meant to reference the bounce-back of France’s post-pandemic theatrical distribution business, the strongly-worded title juxtaposed with the image of only white males led to a ripple effect of backlash with several high-profile talents speaking out and vitriol on social media.

Happening director and Venice Lion winner Audrey Diwan tweeted a photo of the cover image with the words “If we’re bothering you, just let us know.” French actress and director Alexandra Lamy piped in with an ironic: “No women, no diversity. What class.” Screenwriter of France’s most popular daytime drama Plus Belle La Vie Pauline Rocafull added: “Nothing is okay about this cover. The title: ‘reconquest,’ the omnipresence of men…It is sad and hopeless.” 

The 50/50 Collective, a network of film professionals promoting equality and inclusion, posted the cover image with the simple question: “No one is uncomfortable with this cover?”

Throughout the weekend, industry figures have joined the debate, including producer Hughes Charbonneau (120 Beats per Minute, Eastern Boys) who called the cover an “outdated patriarchal approach” that he says is “burying the industry” and pointed out that “It is the women of French cinema who win the big international prizes - the producers, the directors, the actresses and the technicians…”

French producer Marc Missonnier tweeted: “Nothing is okay about this - neither the title, nor the photo. Only men. How to instantly torpedo a promising impression left by the distributors’ day at the National Federation of French Cinemas conference.” He did go on to recognize the magazine’s public apology and later added: “A rapid and welcome Mea culpa.” 

In stark contrast to the backlash France’s National Federation of French Cinemas the FNCF tweeted the image calling the magazine “A beautiful cover and a great issue.”

In response, the magazine sent out a letter of apology and called the cover image choice “regrettable.” The magazine issued a statement on its website reading: “We unintentionally conveyed an unrepresentative image of French cinema, artists and Pathé” and added: “This proves how vigilant we must be at all times to ensure that the fight for parity prevails.”

The negative response to the magazine cover has proven to be a positive sign of the change that is desired among the industry. Vanessa Djian,whose credits include Farewell Mr Haffmann and The Mustang and co-founder of female-driven collective Girls Support Girls told Screen: “Let’s stay united and not pit ourselves against each other. This front page is very clumsy, but the good news is that today it makes people react which was not the case not so long ago. Together stronger.” 

Le Film Français’ website was down for most of the day on Sunday, whether due to an onslaught of activity or simply a poorly-timed technical glitch.

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