French cinemas want to block Netflix movies from Cannes festival, CEO says
Netflix boss Reed Hastings has hit out at the French cinema "establishment", which he claims wants to block the streaming giant’s movies from the Cannes film festival. Hastings took to his personal Facebook account late Wednesday to claim that "the establishment is closing ranks against us", after Cannes effectively slapped a ban on future Netflix-backed movies at the world’s leading film festival. The organisers said they were forced to change their rules after the streaming giant refused to screen its two films in the running for this year’s Palme d’Or top prize in French cinemas. "From now on every film wishing to be in competition at Cannes must be shown in French cinemas afterwards," they said in a statement. But Hastings — whose Silicon Valley-based operation now has 100-million subscribers — placed the blame squarely at the door of French cinemas. He said: "See Okja (a new a sci-fi thriller) on Netflix June 20. Amazing film that theatre chains want to block us from entering i...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.