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Catherine Deneuve defends men's 'right to hit on' women Catherine Deneuve defends men's 'right to hit on' women
(about 1 hour later)
French actress Catherine Deneuve has said that men should be "free to hit on" women.French actress Catherine Deneuve has said that men should be "free to hit on" women.
She is one of 100 well-known French women who wrote an open letter, warning about a new "puritanism" sparked by recent sexual harassment scandals. She is one of 100 French women who wrote an open letter, warning about a new "puritanism" sparked by recent sexual harassment scandals.
The letter deplores a wave of "denunciations" after claims that US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has raped or sexually assaulted dozens of women.The letter deplores a wave of "denunciations" after claims that US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has raped or sexually assaulted dozens of women.
Mr Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.Mr Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
However, he has admitted that his behaviour has "caused a lot of pain".However, he has admitted that his behaviour has "caused a lot of pain".
What does the open letter say?What does the open letter say?
The letter by French women writers, performers and academics was published in France's Le Monde newspaper on Tuesday.The letter by French women writers, performers and academics was published in France's Le Monde newspaper on Tuesday.
"Men have been punished summarily, forced out of their jobs when all they did was touch someone's knee or try to steal a kiss," it said."Men have been punished summarily, forced out of their jobs when all they did was touch someone's knee or try to steal a kiss," it said.
"Rape is a crime, but trying to seduce someone, even persistently or clumsily, is not - and nor is men being gentlemanly a chauvinist attack.""Rape is a crime, but trying to seduce someone, even persistently or clumsily, is not - and nor is men being gentlemanly a chauvinist attack."
The authors argued that there was a new "puritanism" afoot in the world.The authors argued that there was a new "puritanism" afoot in the world.
They said that while it was legitimate and necessary to speak out against the abuse of power by some men, the constant denunciations have spiralled out of control.They said that while it was legitimate and necessary to speak out against the abuse of power by some men, the constant denunciations have spiralled out of control.
According to the writers, this is creating a public mood in which women are seen as powerless, as perpetual victims.According to the writers, this is creating a public mood in which women are seen as powerless, as perpetual victims.
"As women we do not recognise ourselves in this feminism, which beyond denouncing the abuse of power, takes on a hatred of men and of sexuality.""As women we do not recognise ourselves in this feminism, which beyond denouncing the abuse of power, takes on a hatred of men and of sexuality."
Ms Deneuve, 74, has recently spoken openly against social media campaigns, which, she says, shame men accused of harassing women. Who are the signatories?
Deneuve is by far the most prominent of them.
The other 99 women who signed the document include some well-known figures, such as actress Christine Boisson; conservative journalist Élisabeth Lévy; Brigitte Lahaie, a 1970s porn star who is now a talk-show host; Catherine Millet, a writer and magazine editor.
There are also lesser-known names from the worlds of entertainment, the arts, the media, and academia. Most of the signatories, however, are professionals who are not known to the French public.
Is Deneuve prone to weighing in on public issues?
She is not known as an activist star. However, last year the 74-year-old spoke out against social media campaigns shaming men accused of harassing women.
Women and men from all over the globe who have been sexually harassed have been sharing their stories across social media using the hashtag #MeToo.Women and men from all over the globe who have been sexually harassed have been sharing their stories across social media using the hashtag #MeToo.
In France, Twitter users are using #Balancetonporc ("rat on your dirty old man") to encourage women to name and shame their attackers.In France, Twitter users are using #Balancetonporc ("rat on your dirty old man") to encourage women to name and shame their attackers.
Ms Deneuve, an Oscar-nominated actress, has been in more than 100 films, making her debut in 1957.Ms Deneuve, an Oscar-nominated actress, has been in more than 100 films, making her debut in 1957.