Filmmaker Stefan Ruitenbeek must show the controversial film in which Michel Houellebecq plays the leading role to the French writer before its release. This was determined by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal on Tuesday. The author fears that the film with sex scenes will damage his reputation.
Ruitenbeek of the Dutch artist collective KIRAC edits a film with recordings by Houellebecq that were made at the end of last year. Ruitenbeek wants to release this film in a few weeks, including on the internet. Due to an agreement that the writer and Ruitenbeek have concluded, the filmmaker has a free hand in principle.
But Houellebecq no longer wants the film released. The writer is concerned because of the trailer and an interview that Ruitenbeek has given. The Frenchman fears that the Dutch filmmaker will not honor their agreements about “a game of fact and fiction”. The film would therefore be damaging to his reputation.
Previously, the provisional rights had rejected all claims of the French writer in preliminary relief proceedings. The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has now come to a different conclusion on appeal. According to the court, due to comments made by Ruitenbeek in an interview, there is a serious chance that he will not comply with the agreements. Once the film is on the internet, the damage cannot be undone.
That is why the filmmaker must show Houellebecq the film as he wants to release it in advance. If the French writer has objections and Ruitenbeek does not want to adapt the film, he can go to court again.
2023-05-16 09:16:44
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