Towards the end of every year, we run a select few Best Of lists from other outlets that we deem interesting and noteworthy. One of those outlets has always been Cahiers du Cinéma, based out of France. The magazine is legendary in the realm of film and has been going strong since the ‘50s. But earlier this week, the staff of Cahiers has walked out as a new ownership conglomerate takes over operations. And the reasons behind the walkout are pretty startling.
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According to reports from Le Monde (via Deadline), 15 members of the Cahiers du Cinéma staff, including the editor Stéphane Delorme, have all resigned one month after the magazine was purchased by an ownership group that includes tech and finance entrepreneurs, as well as some high-powered producers in French cinema. And it’s that last group of folks that has led to the mass walkout amongst the Cahiers staff, as they fear that their voice will be censored and stifled by conflicting interests amongst the ownership.
“The new shareholders include eight producers who create a conflict of interest for a critical publication. Whatever articles are published, there would be a suspicion of interference. Les Cahiers has always been engaged, taking clear positions,” the outgoing staff said in a public statement.
Deadline reports that insiders have elaborated on that statement saying that the new owners are trying to force the magazine to stray from its serious tone to something more “chic” and “relaxed.” Jean-Philippe Tessé, deputy editor and a 17-year Cahiers vet, said that the ownership has an “absolute misinterpretation” of the magazine.
There’s no word on what the current state of Cahiers du Cinéma is, at this time. We’ll be following closely to see how the magazine moves forward. But without question, it does appear that a new era of the outlet is forthcoming. And it may not be what the readers expect.