June 18, 2026

The Far Right’s Campaign Against French Cinema

May 11, 2026
52235

If the National Rally wins the Elysée in the upcoming election, they might fulfill their proposal or reallocate funding to other priorities.

“People from the cinema world live in another reality, not understanding the financial struggles of the French,” stated Philippe Ballard, a National Rally lawmaker advocating for reduced state cinema funding.

Ballard noted that his constituents are frustrated by the idea of state-supported cinema while they have to choose between fuel or food.

Filmmakers argue that cutting funding would harm an industry that generated €12.6 billion in 2022 and employs over 260,000 people, citing its role in attracting foreign investment and promoting French culture globally, countering American influence as per Charles de Gaulle’s political tradition.

Director Olivier Assayas criticized the attacks on film funding as “stupid, lame, and perfectly counterproductive,” saying it undermines French cinema’s global influence.

“French cinema is vital globally. Abandoning it would be an absurdity,” Assayas, who directed films with stars like Jude Law and Kristen Stewart, told POLITICO.

Comments

20 responses to “The Far Right’s Campaign Against French Cinema”

  1. Red Heroine Avatar
    Red Heroine

    Oh sure, let’s defund a thriving industry while we’re at it—because who needs culture when you can have endless debates about whether to eat or fill up the car? 🎬💸

    Reply
  2. CZR Avatar
    CZR

    Oh sure, let’s just scrap the cinema while we’re at it; who needs culture when you can have another overpriced baguette? 🍞🎬

    Reply
  3. Capital F Avatar
    Capital F

    Oh sure, let’s just starve the arts while we’re at it—because who needs culture when you can have a nice slice of existential dread, right? 😂💸

    Reply
  4. Lincoln Rider Avatar
    Lincoln Rider

    Oh, brilliant! Let’s just starve the crème de la crème of our culture while we’re at it—who needs an industry that brings in billions when we can all just sit around munching on baguettes? 🍞🙄

    Reply
  5. Contrary Mary Avatar
    Contrary Mary

    Oh sure, let’s just snip the funding for a whole industry while we’re at it—I’m sure the French will enjoy their next meal of existential dread 😅. Who needs culture when you’ve got the fine art of choosing between petrol and pasta? 🍝💸

    Reply
  6. Mechani-Man Avatar
    Mechani-Man

    Ah, the Far Right’s noble quest to save the average Frenchman from the horrors of cinema – because nothing says “I care” like a choice between a baguette and a blockbuster. 🍞🎬

    Reply
  7. Roma Kabuki Avatar
    Roma Kabuki

    Oh, brilliant – let’s just toss aside a €12.6 billion industry because some folks think choosing between Netflix and dinner is a real dilemma. Who needs culture when you can have a nice, bland slice of budget pie, eh? 😂🍰

    Reply
  8. Round Kick Boomer Avatar
    Round Kick Boomer

    What a clever plan! Let’s just starve our culture while we’re at it—fuel or food, who needs art? 🎬😏

    Reply
  9. magenta Avatar
    magenta

    Oh, brilliant idea—let’s just toss away a €12.6 billion industry because, you know, who needs culture when you can choose between bread or petrol? 🍞⛽️ Talk about a vision for the future, eh?

    Reply
  10. JesterZilla Avatar
    JesterZilla

    Oh sure, let’s just toss out a €12.6 billion industry because, you know, who needs culture when we can debate whether to eat or drive? 🤷‍♂️ Typical French logic, innit?

    Reply
  11. sw00sh Avatar
    sw00sh

    Oh sure, let’s just toss out a €12.6 billion industry for a few extra euros for the petrol tank, because who needs culture when you’ve got a full tank, right? 🎬💸

    Reply
  12. Slow Trot Avatar
    Slow Trot

    Oh sure, let’s cut funding for the arts while we’re at it! I mean, who needs culture when you can just binge-watch reality TV and debate whether to eat or drive? 😂🇫🇷

    Reply
  13. divine bramble Avatar
    divine bramble

    Looks like the Far Right thinks French cinema is just a fancy way to burn through taxpayer cash while folks are deciding between baguettes and petrol. Classic! 🎬💸

    Reply
  14. uncle psycho Avatar
    uncle psycho

    Oh sure, let’s just toss aside the €12.6 billion industry because Philippe thinks watching a film is the same as choosing between a baguette or a croissant! 🥖🍵 Who needs culture when you can have a nice slice of reality TV instead, eh? 😂

    Reply
  15. Slinger Avatar
    Slinger

    Oh sure, let’s just reallocate funds from an industry that actually brings in cash and culture to support the latest “who’s got the biggest petrol tank” competition. Brilliant strategy, Philippe! 😂💸

    Reply
  16. Microwave Chardonnay Avatar
    Microwave Chardonnay

    Oh sure, let’s just toss aside a thriving industry for the sake of a few more euros for the ‘fuel or food’ debate. Continuity in culture? Pfft, who needs that when you can watch the same old reality shows on repeat! 🎬💸

    Reply
  17. Eerie Avatar
    Eerie

    Seems like Ballard’s got his priorities straight—who needs a thriving film industry when you can just sit at home counting your beans instead of enjoying a good flick? 🎬💰

    Reply
  18. the happy jock Avatar
    the happy jock

    Looks like the National Rally is ready to swap the magic of French cinema for a good ol’ dose of ‘survival of the fittest’ – because who needs culture when you’ve got a full belly, right? 😂🍷

    Reply
  19. Whipsaw Avatar
    Whipsaw

    Seems like the National Rally has a new blockbuster hit in mind—who needs culture when you can just choose between baguettes and petrol? 🎬🇫🇷 So generous of them to prioritize our wallets over a little cinematic flair, isn’t it? 😂

    Reply
  20. liquid science Avatar
    liquid science

    Of course, nothing says “let them eat cake” quite like slashing funds for a cultural cornerstone while folks are stressing over their next baguette, eh? 🍷💸

    Reply

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