the entire editorial staff slams the door

Misrepresent the Notebooks, divert them. In a statement, the feathers of the emblematic magazine of the 7th art refuse to participate in a title which would become “convivial” and “chic”, according to the future which one would have traced for them. A slap to the ambitions of the collective called “Les Amis des Cahiers” which had just bought them.

Shareholders and future new CEO particularly challenged

The 15 employees claim the conscience clause which protects the journalist’s right when the title owner changes. Their fears, expressed publicly a short time ago, would not have been heard, the promised charter of independence contradicted. And they strongly contest the very nature of their new shareholding. With mainly eight producers, which according to the resigners poses an immediate conflict of interest problem in a critical review. The appointment of Director General of the SRF (Société des Réalisateurs de Films) delegate general, Julie Lethiphu, adds to their fears of an influence from the French cinema community. Finally, in question, “businessmen close to power. The Cahiers du cinema took sides against the media treatment of the yellow vests, against the reforms affecting the university (Parcoursup) and culture (the Culture pass) and put in place question on his arrival the legitimacy of the Minister of Culture, who also publicly welcomed the takeover of this private company. There too the shareholders have interests which question us. “

No “flashy showcase or a platform for promoting French author cinema”

Journalists refuse to become “a flashy showcase or a platform for promoting French original cinema” and claims the most famous article in the review, by François Truffaut, castigating the bourgeoisie for part of French cinema. They also denounce the concentration of formerly free titles for the benefit of big telecoms or bosses. Xavier Niel and Alain Weill are among the buyers.

At the beginning of the month, an article from Les Echos revealed the project of the founder of Iliad-Free, the CEO of Altice, notably owner of “L’Express”, of Marc du Pontavice, the founder of the animation studio Xilam, of the start-upper Marc Simoncini (Meetic), of telecoms manager Jacques Veyrat, Pascal Breton, boss of the audiovisual distributor Federation Entertainment, banker Grégoire Chertok or Reginald de Guillebon, owner of “Film Français”, a professional magazine on cinema. With diversifications in sight like a festival and podcasts.

In The world, this Thursday evening, the new manager of the company Eric Lenoir ensures that “The editorial staff must write what they want on the cinema. It is out of the question to guide your choices. “ The man who is also the general manager of Seri, a street furniture company, clarified daily that if the editorial staff is free, he will still be suggested to “reconnect” with French cinema.

A few hours from the Cesars, a new symbol of French cinema plunges into the unknown. With sales already down to around 12,000 copies on average last year, a drop of 8% over one year, what will become of this bible for moviegoers, founded by André Bazin, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze and Joseph-Marie Lo Duca in 1951 and who contributed to the birth of the New Wave?

With the collaboration of Sébastien Lopoukhine

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