French actor banned from Cannes over rape allegations in new red carpet rules

Metro

15-05-2025

Actor Théo Navarro-Mussy was banned from walking the carpet at Cannes 2025 (Picture: Niviere David/ABACAPRESS.COM/REX/Shutterstock)
French film star Théo Navarro-Mussy did not walk the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival this year after he was banned from participating.
Stars of the upcoming crime drama Dossier 137, which features These included Léa Drucker and Stanislas Merhar, attended the premiere today at the annual film extravaganza.
A synopsis for the movie reads: 'When a young man is injured by a flash-ball projectile during the yellow vests protests, Stéphanie, an investigator with the IGPN, is tasked with determining responsibility.'
However, one of its cast members, Navarro-Mussy, was noticeably absent from the Palais theatre screening amid an impending civil suit against him accusing him of rape. He has denied the claim.
As well as his latest role, Navarro-Mussy is known for his roles in Rachel's Game and A Real Job, both released in 2023.
'Last week, the Cannes Festival management received a warning about an actor who appears in Dossier 137 regarding a case dating back to 2023, long before our film was shot,' producers Haut et Court said in a statement.
The French film star was previously accused of rape and violence by three ex partners (Picture:)
They added to TheWrap: 'The case in question was dismissed in 2025, but the plaintiffs intend to bring a civil suit in response to the verdict.
'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.'
They concluded: 'The management of the Cannes Festival has been very clear about not providing a platform to any person suspected of sexist or sexual violence.
'For Haut et Court, these issues are of utmost importance to us, so this decision was an obvious one, as it was for (writer/director) Dominik Moll, whose position on these issues has always been very clear.'
Meanwhile, Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux, 64, told Télérama, who broke the news, that 'the procedure is still ongoing.'
He stars in the new French crime drama Dossier 137 (Picture: Fanny de Gouville/Modds)
Frémaux explained that the ban against the actor would be lifted if the case was dismissed or if he was found not guilty.
Despite reports, though, Navarro-Mussy's lawyer claimed to the publication that a civil matter is not ongoing.
Previously, three of his former partners from 2018, 2019, and 2020 made allegations of 'rape, physical and psychological violence', but the case was dropped last month due to a lack of evidence.
According to French news agency AFP, this is the first time an actor has been prohibited from walking a carpet at Cannes due to allegations of sexual abuse.
It comes after Cannes chief Fermaux told Variety in April, ahead of the event, that new rules had been added for this year's film selection process.
While his co-stars walked the carpet at this week's premiere, he was noticeably absent (Picture: Fanny de Gouville/Modds)
The additional clause is 'to guarantee that the films submitted have respected and continue respecting the safety, integrity, and dignity of all contributors and comply with legal obligations.'
Developments involving Navarro-Mussy come just days after French film star Gérard Depardieu was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on set in Paris in 2021.
In what has become the country's most high-profile case in the #MeToo movement, the 76-year-old was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
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