Deauville American Film FestivalDirectorBruno Bardehas been suspended from his role following accusations by seven women of sexual harassment in report by French investigative websiteMediapart.
Barde is also director of the Gerardmer International Fantastic Film Festival and the Reims Thriller Film Festival via his PR agency Le Public Systeme Cinema, which organizes the events.
The agencys parent company, international communications group Hopscotch, released a statement saying it had suspended Barde in the wake of the allegations in the Mediapart report and hired an independent body to carry out an investigation.
Bruno BardeGetty Images
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Contacted by Mediapart, Barde is quoted in the report as saying: While it may be true that I have a Latin temperament, that I am an aesthete, who is perhaps too easy to compliment, I have never made a remark with a sexual connotation, nor had the slightest gesture or incitement to sexual or sexist nature towards my colleagues… And, if anyone may have felt offended, I sincerely apologize.
As one ofFrances biggest PR agencies, Le Public Systeme Cinema represented eight fllms at Cannes this year, including Jacques Audiards Emilia Perez, Paolo SorrentinosParthenopeand David CronenbergsShrouds.
The agencys Head of Publicity and Communication Alexis Delage-Toriel and Head of Programming Jerome Lasserre have been appointed as interim managers.
