<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/movies" rel="" target="" title="Cannes Film Festival"><span>Cannes Film Festival</span></a><span> barred </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/france" rel="" target="" title="French"><span>French</span></a><span> actor Théo Navarro-Mussy from attending the premiere of the competition entry </span><em><span>Case 137</span></em><span>, in what's believed to be a first for the festival in the #MeToo era.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Festival director Thierry Fremaux confirmed to the French magazine </span><em><span>Télérama</span></em><span> that Navarro-Mussy would not be allowed to attend the red carpet premiere of </span><em><span>Case 137</span></em><span> (</span><em><span>Dossier 137</span></em><span> in France) on Thursday night at Cannes. He has a supporting role in the film.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Télérama</span></em><span> reported that Navarro-Mussy was accused of rape by three former partners in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The case was dropped last month due to lack of evidence, but </span><em><span>Télérama</span></em><span> reported the three woman plan to appeal.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/mr-beast-biggest-youtuber-jimmy-donaldson-sparks-controversy-by-filming-at-mexicos-archaeological-sites/02f91913-3fad-4161-8e76-8a77ae55ea0e"><strong><span>Biggest YouTuber sparks controversy by filming at Mexico's archaeological sites</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is because there is an appeal, and therefore the investigation is still active, that the case is not suspended," Fremaux told the French magazine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When a legal decision becomes final, the situation changes."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Representatives for Navarro-Mussy didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Representatives for the Cannes Film Festival referred inquires to Fremaux's comments to </span><em><span>Télérama</span></em><span>.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/cannes-film-festival-bars-actor-from-premiere-over-sexual-assault-allegations/875a6ce1-7a8c-443f-8ee5-23f360cef952" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Navarro-Mussy's attorney, Marion Pouzet-Gagliardi told </span><em><span>Télérama</span></em><span>: "I have received no information indicating that any proceedings are ongoing. This proposed complaint with civil party status has, to my knowledge, not been legally filed."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The decision marks a shift for the Cannes Film Festival, which has sometimes been criticised for welcoming men accused of sexual misconduct. But some say now that the festival is evolving as the #MeToo movement has made belated inroads into the French film industry.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year's Cannes opened hours after French actor </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/french-actor-gerard-depardieu-found-guilty-of-sexual-assault-on-a-2021-film-set/156de537-46e1-4d21-b50c-2126554e1527" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><span>Gerard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual assault</span></a><span> and handed a 18-month suspended prison sentence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When asked about the Depardieu verdict, Juliette Binoche, Cannes jury president, said that "the festival is following this trend in social and political life."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The festival is in step with what's happening today," Binoche said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"#MeToo took some time to gain strength. We reacted very strongly recently."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On Thursday, the French production company of </span><em><span>Case 137</span></em><span>, Haut et Court, said it last week received a warning about the situation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Even though the allegations largely predate the production of the film, we agreed with the festival management that the person in question will not accompany the film to Cannes, out of respect for the plaintiffs and their right to be heard, while also respecting the presumption of innocence of the accused," the company said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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