A reporter at a Cannes Film Festival press conference has sparked huge backlash and accusations of racism after greeting the two white cast members only of the South Korean film Hope – and ignoring everyone else.
Whilst she said hello to actors Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander by name, the journalist told the remaining five members of the panel, who had name cards in front of them, “I don’t know the rest of you”.
The woman did not identify herself when it was her turn to ask a question, unlike every other reporter. She did, however, speak with a seemingly Australian accent, which can be heard in footage of her speaking in an official Cannes video (below at 31:46).
The journalist has been informally identified by viewers of the footage and other media outlets as Australian journalist Helen Barlow, who is Paris-based and has regularly reported from Cannes.
Mediaweek has attempted to contact Barlow for comment.
The moment has now gone viral with millions of views – and critics. Because, as etiquette would dictate, no one likes to be made to feel they’re not worth knowing. And, the courtesy to the two white people, in contrast, was palpable.
Asian media did not let the moment pass.
“Opinions are pouring in, labelling the incident as racial discrimination or an exposure of ignorance at a Korean film press conference,” wrote Star News Korea.
The Korea Herald coverage said that the reporter not knowing the names of the panel was “a you problem”.
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Journalist slammed for ‘racially insensitive’ behaviour at Cannes
Online, the reporter’s behaviour was called “rude” and “racially insensitive,” with one person saying, “This lady can’t even remember the director’s name of the film she’s interviewing for, but acts like she’s best friends with the white people working on the film?”
There was also this person, writing from Australia, “Our media has been complicit in the pervasive and ‘casual’ racism we experience every day.”
Another example of the outrage read: “This is just unfunny and embarrassing.”
The reporter had a question for director Na Hong-jin, who she also did not address by name, despite him being world-renowned for directing other major iconic films such as The Wailing.
She asked him if married couple Vikander and Fassbender were a “package deal” in terms of salary.
She said: “Could you have cast both for the fee of one actor? Is it a couple package?”
The question was called out by many on social media for belittling the actors’ work as individuals and professionals.
South Korean movie at Cannes, Hope
Hope is a South Korean science fiction thriller directed by South Korean director Na Hong-jin, a world-renowned director.
It is also the first Korean film to be invited to compete at the Cannes Film Festival in four years.
Finally, to make it clear that the movie is not inconsequential and deserves appropriate recognition, it had a reported budget of more than $46USD million, making it the most expensive Korean film ever made.
Cannes has not issued a statement on the viral incident at this time.
Top image: The South Korean film ‘Hope’ represents at Cannes. Image: X