Ibrahim Maalouf excluded from the Deauville Festival: Aude Hesbert, the event director, provides explanations

The controversy surrounding Ibrahim Maalouf's ouster from the jury of the Deauville American Film Festival has not finished making people talk. After speaking out to express his anger, the trumpeter now has the right to a response from Aude Hesbert, the director of the event.

Aude Hesbert, director of the Deauville American Film Festival, first explained to The Sunday Tribune about his decision to exclude French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf from the jury of the event which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. The artist was convicted, then acquitted in 2020, following a complaint for sexual assault in 2013 on a 14-year-old minor. “We have proposed to him several times, first orally, then in a written letter, to withdraw. A letter to which he has not responded. We are not going to replace him because the jury has already been formed. What is important to me is that we talk about the films, that we highlight the talents invited, and that cinema is in the spotlight,” she told our colleagues.

In the meantime, the singer's friend M has also spoken out in the columns of Parisian. He said, among other things: “Seven months ago I was asked to take part in the Deauville jury and A few days ago I was asked to withdraw discreetly. I refuse, obviously, and I learn in the press on Sunday that I am being pushed aside… While I am innocent, I have been acquitted by the courts and I am the first to support this fight against sexual and sexist violence, which is essential and necessary”. “This time I can't let this injustice gothis humiliation. If I accept it, I will be humiliated for life”he had concluded beside himself. He had also announced “eto initiate not a complaint (…) but a civil legal action against the festival and its director for a fault which engages their responsibility“.

“A very strong protest has arisen”

This Friday, August 30, Aude Hesbert decided to express herself once again, in the columns of Parisian. She explained: “He received an email inviting him to be part of the jury last February, when Bruno Barde was still director of the festival. When I took office, I knew he had been completely exonerated. by the courts for his sexual assault case, so I made the decision to keep it, there was no reason to dismiss it then”.

“But when the jury's composition was announced on August 8, a very strong protest arosefrom all walks of life, members of the festival team who were hurt by the affair that had just affected them internally, and other guests. Furthermore, we are an American film festival, and Americans are very vigilant about the subject of sexual violence“she detailed.

Did Ibrahim Maalouf really learn of his ouster in the press?

And the Festival director continued: “I had no ambition to take the place of justice, I wanted to discuss with Ibrahim Maalouf, warn him, tell him about the problems of the festival placed in a fragile state… But the smooth running of the festival was threatenedand the discussion with Mr. Maalouf turned out to be complicated: he did not want to withdraw from the jury, he did not want to know anything, so I took the decision, difficult but one that I accept, to exclude him from the jury. I knew that it would divide”.

While Ibrahim Maalouf claimed that he learned of his ouster in the press, Aude Hesbert claims the opposite, with supporting evidence. “We notified him by emailwe have this written proof. We also called his assistant. And we also warned him in writing that my interview was going to be published in the press”she concluded.