Trauma at the Cinémathèque Française
In mid-February, the word "traumatized" echoed repeatedly among the employees of the Cinémathèque Française in Paris. In recent weeks, the iconic cinema temple housed in Frank Gehry’s building at 52, rue de Bercy, has been engulfed in turmoil.
A Heavy Atmosphere
The traditional Epiphany cake gathering on January 14th was tinged with palpable sadness. As the staff gathered to hear their president’s New Year’s wishes, 91-year-old Costa-Gavras (Z, The Confession, Missing) was greeted with heartfelt admiration. A master of political storytelling, he understood the gravity of the situation.
The subsequent film screening, however, drew a smaller crowd. The employees had voted to watch the Farrelly brothers’ Dumb and Dumber, but "there was a time before." Jim Carrey’s comedic antics failed to bring much laughter to the beleaguered employees.
The Detonator
The explosion that ignited everything came from Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris. The film was scheduled to be screened without a debate on December 15th, but a series of events had already set the stage for a major controversy.
In an interview with BFMTV, Bertolucci revealed a disturbing detail about the iconic rape scene in Last Tango in Paris. He admitted that the use of butter as a lubricant was not consensual with the actress Maria Schneider and that it had traumatized her. Schneider herself had spoken out about the incident in the past, but her voice had been largely ignored.
A Firestorm of Criticism
The news set off a firestorm of criticism. Bertolucci was accused of abuse and misogyny, and the film was criticized for its depiction of sexual violence. The screening at the Cinémathèque Française became a focal point for protests and outrage.
An Internal Crisis
The controversy exposed deep divisions within the Cinémathèque. Some employees argued that it was unethical to screen a film that had caused such harm, while others defended the artistic value of Last Tango in Paris. The public backlash and internal conflicts took a heavy toll on the institution.
A Call for Change
The crisis at the Cinémathèque Française highlighted the urgent need for a reevaluation of the film industry’s approach to sexual violence. It also raised questions about the power dynamics between directors and actors, and the responsibility of institutions to protect vulnerable performers.
A Path to Healing
In the wake of the controversy, the Cinémathèque Française issued a statement condemning violence against women and expressing regret for scheduling the Last Tango in Paris screening without a proper discussion. The institution also announced a series of initiatives to address gender inequality and promote a safer work environment.
The trauma experienced by the Cinémathèque’s employees serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sexual abuse in the film industry. It is a call to action for a more just and equitable future, where art does not come at the expense of human dignity.
