It will be in theaters on March 27.
The next film by Jacques Doillon, questioned by several actresses including Judith Godrèche, will be released as planned, its producer announced in a press release on Friday.
The release of “CE2” was the subject of speculation since its director was targeted by an investigation for rape of a minor, following a complaint from Judith Godrèche, who filmed with him for “The 15-year-old girl », released in 1989.
Also read: Jacques Doillon, Benoît Jacquot… Who are these filmmakers accused of rape?
“After consultation with all the partners who supported the initiative and carried out the production of the film
CE2
, written and directed by Jacques Doillon, we took the decision to confirm its release date, scheduled in France for March 27, 2024,” indicates the producer Bruno Pesery, in the press release.
No “indifference”
“It is important to us that this decision is not received as an expression of deafness or indifference with regard to the accusations brought against its author: they are serious, we have taken stock of this from the first hour", continues the boss of Arena Films, believing that it is not possible to adapt the release of a film "to a legal calendar".
The production house justifies its decision by the teamwork which allowed the film to see the light of day, “whether actors, technicians, service providers, producers, distributors, press officers or operators”.
Also read: Freedom of speech: “It is extremely difficult to oppose someone who is known and esteemed”
The film which brings together Nora Hamzawi and Alexis Manenti in the cast follows Claire, a CE2 student, harassed by two friends in her class.
His mother intervenes with the director who does not immediately understand the seriousness of the situation and leaves the children face to face.
It is “an invitation to awareness, dialogue and vigilance”, underlines the producer, insisting on the “nearly forty years” separating the production of the film from the facts of which Jacques Doillon is accused.
The film was shown at the Angoulême festival in 2021 and was presented to journalists at the start of the year.
No information was given on the promotion of the film upon its release.
Jacques Doillon, 79 years old, director of films such as “Rodin”, “Ponette” or “The Little Criminal”, has filmed a lot of childhood and romantic feelings in films that have received critical acclaim, but have more confidential success.