César 2024: What does the red pin worn by Adèle Exarchopoulos and other stars mean?

This year, the César ceremony was intended to be more politicized than ever. In a very heavy context following the serious accusations made against several French directors and actors, Judith Godrèche delivered a poignant and highly anticipated speech and the emotion was palpable in the room. “We can decide that men accused of rape cannot make it rain or shine in the cinema. That sets the tone, as they say. We cannot ignore the truth. We cannot be at a such a level of impunity, denial, and privilege that makes morality go over our heads. We must set an example.”declared the actress, who accuses the filmmakers Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of rape of a minor.

A very meaningful speech, but it is not the only cause that was heard during this ceremony, which saw Justine Triet and her film, Anatomy of a fall, end the evening as a big winner. Several personalities wore a red pin on their clothing with an orange hand drawn inside and a black heart in its hollow. This is particularly the case ofAdèle Exarchopouloswho we saw go on stage (all the photos can be found in the slideshow) to receive the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in I will always see your faces, by Jeanne Herry. As indicated in the Huffington Postit is a symbol of support for the Palestinians, already worn a few weeks ago by Mark Ruffalo during the Directors Guild of America Awards.

César 2024: Strong words from Kaouther Ben Hania and Arieh Worthalter

The 30-year-old actress did not make any political demands when thanking her, which is not the case with all the winners. The Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Haniawho received the César for best documentary for Olfa’s daughtersalso wore this pin and to call for “stop the massacre” during his appearance on stage. The director Gala Hernández Lópezwinner of best short film with Fluid Mechanicsalso had a word on this conflict, calling for the “France to engage concretely in situations such as those experienced by the Palestinian people today”. The latter wore a slightly different pin representing a watermelon, a symbol used since October 7 to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Finally, if he wasn’t wearing that famous red pin, Arieh Worthalterbest actor for his role in The Goldman trialhad strong words on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, wishing in particular to make “a call for a ceasefire in Gaza because life demands it”.