#1 out of 45
entertainment10h ago
Juliette Binoche, Adèle Haenel, Swann Arlaud Protest Billionaire’s Bid for French Cinema Chain UGC as “Fascist Takeover”
- More than 600 French film professionals signed an open letter opposing Vincent Bolloré’s plan to take full control of UGC by 2028.
- The letter warns the takeover could amount to a ‘fascist takeover of the collective imagination’ and concentrates financial power in Bolloré’s hands.
- Bolloré’s stake in UGC is 34 percent via Canal+, with a goal to achieve full control by 2028.
- The protests come as part of wider industry backlash against perceived political influence in media assets.
- Bolloré defends his acquisitions as financial moves to expand French cultural soft power, not ideological motivation.
- The open letter argues industry ties to Bolloré threaten future film funding and creative independence.
- The open letter links the UGC deal to broader risks for French cultural institutions, including CNC and public broadcasting.
- The piece places Bolloré’s media footprint among major assets, including Canal+, CNews and Studiocanal.
- The letter emphasizes the risk of reduced autonomy for film professionals if financial power concentrates under Bolloré.
- The article notes a history of industry pushback, including a 2022 senate hearing about Bolloré's motives.
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