The allegations of sexual assault against French comedian Édouard Baer for three weeks have prompted the producers of the Quebec comedy All crazy!, in which he filmed last year, to modify the film’s marketing strategy.
In interview at Newspaperproducer Pierre Even and director Manon Briand admit to falling out of their seats when they learned of the accusations made against Édouard Baer.
In a joint French media investigation Mediapart And Cheekpublished on May 23, six women anonymously accuse the 57-year-old actor of “harassment and sexual assault”, over a period spanning from 2013 to 2021.
“We shared the article between us and everyone was on edge,” confides Pierre Even.
“The news created a shock wave in the film team. Once the shock wore off, my first concern was to make sure that nothing like this had happened during our filming. I got on the phone and, as of today, I have no indication that anything like that happened on our set. It was a relief.”
The first modification that was made to the film’s promotional campaign was to change its title. Titled The Chief and the customs officer at the time of its filming last fall, the comedy was renamed All crazy!a title which, ultimately, better reflects the spirit of the film, according to director Manon Briand (Fluid turbulence).
“The Chief and the customs officer, to me it was a working title that gave the false impression that the film is a romantic comedy. I find that the new title corresponds better to our story,” observes the filmmaker, saddened by the turn of these events.
The trailer revealed
If the release date (September 13) remains unchanged, some slight modifications have been made to the film’s trailer, unveiled Thursday, and to the rest of the promotional material. Pierre Even also emphasizes that Édouard Baer will not participate in the promotion of All crazy!.
“I was coming back from Cannes to try to sell the film in France when I heard the news. It is certain that all this will change the trajectory [du film] but this is something that is out of our control. We are very proud of the film and we can’t wait to share it with the public,” insists the producer.
Filmed last fall in Montreal and Montérégie, All crazy! tells the story of a French chef in need of fame (Baer) who tries to help a little Quebec girl (Élodie Fontaine) win a culinary competition. The feature film also stars Julie Le Breton (in the role of the little girl’s mother), Sylvain Marcel, Lélia Nevert, Normand Chouinard and Dominic Paquet.
Baer’s apology
Contacted by Mediapart And Cheek at the time of the publication of their investigation, three weeks ago, Édouard Baer reacted in writing by apologizing to the alleged victims.
“It is with amazement and great sadness that I discover the testimonies that you bring to me,” wrote the actor known for his role in Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra.
“I do not recognize myself in the words and gestures attributed to me, but I can only express my regret that my behavior made these women uncomfortable or hurt. I didn’t have the intelligence to perceive it. I am deeply sorry. I never intentionally tried to hurt them. I apologize to them all.”
None of the alleged victims cited anonymously in the journalistic investigation filed a police complaint. According to them, the facts took place “mainly in professional contexts”. One of the victims accuses Baer of “touching her breasts several times with his hand” and “grabbing her by the waist.” Another reports that the actor tried to “kiss her on the neck and on the mouth.”
A week after the publication of the report Mediapart And Cheekthe Parisian Antoine theater announced that it was canceling performances of a Baer show, scheduled for June and July.
