6. When The Whole Of France Protested And The Festival Was Cancelled
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZQXtFXpO9Y In 1968, all France was in the grip of turmoil and protests. The widespread civil unrest was prompted by a number of student protests against the culture of capitalism and consumerism that characterised French society at the time. The spirit of revolt, which in many ways owed its birth to the resurgence of far-left groups against President Charles de Gaulle, spread like wildfire. Thousands of factory workers were mobilised in strikes and spontaneous sit-ins. Before too long, the country started shutting down; the Sorbonne university was closed, the Rive Gauche was taken over by protesters, Molotov cocktails were thrown about and
President de Gaulle actually left the country amidst fears of civil war. What does this have to do with Cannes, we may ask. Roman Polanski asked the same question when he was corralled into a meeting, ostensibly to discuss film-related matters but in reality to convince participants that the festival should be cancelled as a gesture of solidarity with protesters. Director Francois Truffaut was the main mover among those who wanted the festival to be stopped, because everything that has a shred of dignity and importance is stopping in France. And so it was, with
the festival officially cancelled after a physical fight broke out right as Carlos Sauras Peppermint Frappe was due to start screening.