The production notes, first reported by Libération, will likely stoke the long-running debate on what it means to be French. Modern France is supposed to be colorblind republic where citizenship transcends race, gender and religion, but the reality is much more complex — and makes the request from Genevard’s office regarding the race of actors all the more controversial.
Genevard’s office did not deny the content of its recommendations and told POLITICO that their public relations campaign “aims to speak to everyone.”
The requests prompted some pushback, with one industry representative involved in the promotional operation saying they were “perplexed and even uncomfortable” in the email exchange.
While the couscous-to-cassoulet change requested by the ministry was implemented, the casting suggestion could not be followed. Other, less contentious recommendations included changing the title of one clip, swapping olive oil for sunflower oil in another, and replacing orange and avocado smoothies with something zucchini-based.
The ad is scheduled to air on May 22.
