A few weeks ago, famed French-Lebanese musician Ibrahim Maalouf was on top of the world.
On Instagram, the Grammy nominee announced his delight at being named part of the jury for the 50th Annual Deauville American Film Festival. Deauville is like the fall version of Cannes and was a favorite of international actors like Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Roger Moore.
But now a scandal has erupted in France as the new head of Deauville has ousted him before the event begins.
The reason is that at the height of the #MeToo fervor in 2018 Maalouf was convicted for sexually assaulting a middle school student. But he was exonerated in 2020 by the Court of Appeals after adamantly voicing his innocence.
But the exoneration means nothing to the new head of the festival, Aude Hesbert. She’s just succeeded the former head of the festival who himself was accused of sexual harassment. Hesbert said in a newspaper interview: “It is not for me to judge, punish or condemn, but the presence of Ibrahim Maalouf was becoming increasingly problematic for the serene holding of a festival that celebrates its 50th anniversary, which is also my first edition and which I wish to wear with clarity and transparency.”
Maalouf’s supporters — which are many — say Hesbert wants to make a name for herself by taking an illegal stand to gain fame for herself. It may backfire. Maalouf is threatening legal action against the Festival which would certainly cast a shadow over the 50th anniversary celebrations. Among the celebs expected to attend are Francis Ford Coppola, Natalie Portman, Michael Douglas, Michelle Williams, James Gray, Daisy Ridley, and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.
Since the jury ouster, the trumpeter wrote on his Instagram page: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
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