People under investigation for sex crimes barred from French 'Oscars' ceremony

Organisers of the César Awards, France's version of the Oscars, have said that anyone being investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct will be barred from attending the ceremony next month, though they can still be nominated.

Protesters outside Paris's Cinématheque hold placards reading "If raping is an art, give Polanski all the Cesars" (L) and "Polanski, 5 accusations of rape on minors, on the run since 1978, that deserves a retrospective" (C) during a demonstration on October 30, 2017. AFP - GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT

There were fears of protests at the event on 25 February over the latest #MeToo furore involving newcomer actor Sofiane Bennacer, who is being investigated by police on two allegations of rape and one of violence against a partner.

Bennacer, 25, who denies any wrongdoing, had been seen as an awards frontrunner for his part in "Les Amandiers" (titled "Forever Young" abroad) about a sexually promiscuous group of drama students in the 1980s.

It also follows protests at the 2020 ceremony when Roman Polanski, convicted of raping a child in the 1970s, won best director – which triggered a major reorganisation of the César Academy.

In a statement, the Academy said anyone facing a potential prison sentence for "violence, notably of a sexual or sexist nature" would be excluded from the coming ceremony.

 "It has been decided not to highlight people who may have been put in question by the judiciary for acts of violence," it said, adding that the step was being taken "out of respect for the victims", even if they were only "presumed" victims.

• French César awards introduce gender parity after Polanski #MeToo scandal

Bennacer was dropped from the longlist of possible nominees in November after fresh allegations surfaced in the media.

Presumption of innocence undermined

The director of "Les Amandiers", Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi (also said to be Bennacer's girlfriend), denounced "a media lynching".

She admitted on Instagram that the film's producers were aware of allegations against Bennacer during the casting, "but I told them these rumours would not stop me and I couldn't envision making the film without him".

Her famous sister, singer and former French First Lady Carla Bruni, said the actor's treatment undermined the presumption of innocence, "one of the foundations of our democracy".

• French 'Oscars' award ceremony on a mission to lift spirits after year of crises

The César Academy said it was still debating whether people with sexual misconduct allegations and convictions should be banned entirely from future nominations and awards, with a decision due in the coming weeks. 

(with newswires)