a cinema network opposes the broadcast of the documentary-fiction “Sacré-Cœur” and creates controversy

The film “Sacré-Cœur” continues to provoke reactions. After an outcry from the town hall of Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) and the SNCF, it is around an association from Gers, bringing together more than twenty cinemas, to oppose the broadcast of a documentary-fiction supported by the billionaire Vincent Bolloré.

The film was a real success. The documentary-fiction, dedicated to the life of a great mystic of the 17th century, has reached the milestone of 250,000 admissions. But, in Gers, it is not at all certain that tickets will continue to be sold. A cultural association, Ciné 32, coordinates 26 cinemas throughout the department. She opposes the broadcast of “Sacré-Cœur”.

Ciné 32 is a major player in cinema in the Gers. The association has seven rooms and 940 seats in Auch. And his position is clear. The documentary-fiction “Sacred Heart” will not be on display in the city.

In an internal email, the association announces that it “does notwill not work with this distributor“namely the distributor of “Sacré-Cœur”. The reason for this decision is explicit: “it is a far-right film only reviewed by media of the same side and fundamentalist Catholic sites“.

Ciné 32 is not only an Auscitain cinema. It is also a structure which brings together rooms in several municipalities in the Gers. No instructions have been given to other cinemas.

” However, you are free to program it but it will be without us and it will not appear in our program” underlines the email addressed to all members of the network. An appeal is however launched: ” it is important that we adopt a common line“.

These comments were to remain confidential. “Please keep this email internal and do not circulate it.” underlines its author. But he has “leak” and, since then, the reactions have multiplied.

The first reaction is media. And it comes from one of the “sponsors” of the film Sacré-Cœur, namely one of the media belonging to the group of conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré. The article evokes pressure and a call for censorship.

Eugénie Bastié, journalist from Le Figaro and who regularly speaks on the C News channel of the Bolloré group, also took up the matter on the X network.

But the controversy has also taken a local turn. Indeed, the mayor of Eauze, in Gers, protested on social networks. Michel Gabas evokes “nameless stupidity” Who “reveals the narrow-mindedness of people who think they have the truth, their truth” and he adds: ” I have always wished that in our cinema, everything can be broadcast, spectators are free to go or not“.

The mayor of Eauze has also walked his talk. The film “Sacré-Cœur” was screened in his city this Monday, October 27. According to the local press, more than 300 spectators attended the session.

This was not the only broadcast in the region. The film premiere took place, in the presence of the directors, in a Toulouse cinema.