Canal+ Leader Maxime Saada Defends Stance Amid Backlash on Far-Right Influence in French Cinema

In May 2026, an op-ed sharply criticized the growing influence of far-right elements within the French film industry, specifically targeting the conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Following this, Bolloré announced he would stop financing films by the signatories of the critical piece, sparking significant controversy. Maxime Saada, head of Canal+, responded to the backlash by denying the existence of any "blacklist" of filmmakers. During a recent general assembly, Saada emphasized the importance of mutual respect and alignment of values when partnering with project holders, stating that they would assess "consideration" for Canal+ before finalizing contracts.

Adding fuel to the political tensions surrounding Bolloré's media empire, Xenia Fedorova—a prominent commentator regularly seen on Bolloré-owned channels—has been publicly accused of being a "patent propagandist" who promotes Kremlin narratives, despite having been banned from the European Union since March 2022 due to her role as former head of Russia’s RT channel in France. Jean-Noël Barrot condemned Fedorova's continued defense of Vladimir Putin's positions on French news platform CNews.

These developments highlight the deepening conflict over the influence of far-right and conservative figures in French cinema and media, with Canal+ leadership seeking to balance internal and public pressures while addressing concerns about political biases and propaganda. Saada’s remarks underscore a cautious approach moving forward as the company evaluates creative partnerships in this charged environment.