Paris Cinema Cancels Screening of 'Last Tango in Paris' Following Safety Concerns

The decision comes after protests over the film's controversial rape scene, shot without actress Maria Schneider's consent, and heightened tensions surrounding ongoing sexual abuse trials in France.

The French Cinémathèque canceled a planned screening of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 film 'Last Tango in Paris' due to safety concerns following threats from protesters.
The film includes a rape scene that actress Maria Schneider later revealed was filmed without her prior knowledge or consent, sparking decades of criticism.
Women's rights groups and figures from France’s #MeToo movement criticized the lack of context accompanying the screening, calling for a more respectful acknowledgment of Schneider’s experience.
The controversy coincides with heightened public attention on sexual abuse cases in France, including the Mazan mass rape trial and the trial of filmmaker Christophe Ruggia for alleged abuse of actress Adèle Haenel.
The Cinémathèque had initially planned a discussion to address the film’s troubling aspects but ultimately prioritized audience and staff safety in canceling the event.