PARIS (AP) – Actor Gerard Depardieu personally intervened to persuade the Cannes Film Festival to show the FIFA-funded movie “United Passions” that sank almost without trace at the box office after being panned by critics.
In an Associated Press interview, Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said he initially rejected the movie, thinking it unworthy of the world-famous festival.
But Depardieu, who plays World Cup creator Jules Rimet in the film, pressured 2014 festival organizers to rethink.
They agreed to let it be shown in the open air on a beach. That green light was enough to allow marketers to attach the prestigious Cannes name – its palm-leaf logo and the words “official selection, festival de Cannes” – to “United Passions” trailers and posters.
“Gerard Depardieu was very insistent. He really wanted us to show it,” said Fremaux, speaking Monday by telephone. “I’m not saying we did it to keep him happy, but let’s say that he insisted a lot.”