Rights groups are railing against this year’s Cannes Film Festival for its decision to honour legendary French actor Alain Delon, whose views on women, same-sex couples, and politics have incited public opinion, reports FRANCE 24.
Delon, 83, is to receive an honorary Palme d’Or on Sunday with festival organisers defending their choice, saying Delon was not perfect "but was being recognised for his acting career".
In a recent interview with the Journal du Dimanche, Delon, stood by some of his provocative comments, but insisted that others had been distorted.
"I'm not against gay marriage, I don't care: people should do as they please," he told the JDD. "But I'm against adoption by two people of the same sex."
"I said I'd slapped a woman? Yes. And I should have added that I've received more slaps than I've ever given. I've never harassed a woman in my life. They, however, harassed me a lot."
Marion Duquesne, a spokesperson for French women’s rights group Les Effrontées, told FRANCE 24 that it was important to show festival organisers that “actions speak louder than words”.