Cannes bars actor accused of rape in new #MeToo policy

The Cannes film festival barred an actor in a prominent French film from the red carpet on Thursday because of sexual assault allegations, unveiling a new policy under pressure from lawmakers and activists.

Theo Navarro-Mussy plays a police officer in a supporting role in the film "Dossier 137" by Dominik Moll, which premiered on Thursday in the festival's main competition.

According to French magazine Telerama, which broke the news, three former partners accused the actor of rapes in 2018, 2019, and 2020 but the case was dropped last month for lack of evidence.

The three plaintiffs, all actors themselves, told Telerama they planned to appeal and file a civil lawsuit.

Cannes Festival director Thierry Fremaux confirmed to Telerama that Navarro-Mussy had been excluded from the world's premier film festival because an appeal was underway.

"The judicial process is still ongoing," Fremaux was quoted as saying in remarks confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson.

The treatment of Navarro-Mussy, if it becomes the basis of a consistent policy, would imply that any actor or director under active investigation for sexual assault would be excluded.

It would align Cannes with the Cesar Awards, France's equivalent of the Oscars, which announced in January 2023 that nominees convicted of or under investigation for sexual assault would be barred.

Navarro-Mussy, 34, who had a breakthrough role in the French medical TV drama "Hippocrate", denies the allegations but he told Telerama he understood the decision by festival organisers.

He did not join his co-stars including renowned French actor Lea Drucker on Thursday as they made their way up the red carpet to the premiere