Suspects of sexually transgressive behavior are not welcome at the presentation of the César Awards, the French version of the Oscars. The organization announced it on Monday.
In a statement via the French news agency AFP extension informs the organization that anyone facing prison time for “violence, especially of a sexual or sexist nature” will be barred from upcoming awards. “It has been decided not to pay attention to people who are in the interests of the judiciary due to violent actions,” the organization says. The decision was also taken “out of respect for the victims”. The awards ceremony will take place on February 25th.
The reason for the decision is, among other things, the fear of protests at the award ceremony. This is also because the 25-year-old actor Sofiane Bennacer would also be present. He is suspected of two rapes and assault on his partner.
Bennacer posted a message on Instagram saying he was innocent. “I’m not asking you to believe me, but I’m asking you to wait (on the investigation, ed.) and listen,” the actor said. The Césars removed him from their nomination list in November.
The decision to reject suspects of a cross-border treaty was also made after protests at the 2020 awards. Filmmaker Roman Polanski, who was convicted of raping a minor, went on to win the Best Director award, much to the dismay of many feminist movements.
Some actresses and guests then left the room in protest. Polanski himself did not attend the ceremony.