The French title of the 2022 Cannes opening night film has changed.
Michel Hazanavicius’ zombie comedy Z (Comme Z) has been renamed Coupe in France following a letter sent to the director and festival by the Ukrainian Institute. The organization had noted that “Z” has become a symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, used by supporters of the Kremlin and in pro-Russian demonstrations.
According to French broadsheet Le Figaro, Hazanavicius announced the change in a statement Monday, saying that he decided on it following the “symbolic charge the letter has gained” since he made the film.
“The title was perhaps funny when we completed the film several months ago but it isn’t anymore and I can’t take it,” he wrote. “My film is made to bring joy and under no circumstances would I want it to be associated directly or indirectly with this war. I am therefore very happy to change its title, and to this extent to mark my most total support for the Ukrainian people. I take this opportunity to thank all the production, distribution, promotion and exhibition teams who made this decision possible.”
The international title of Coupe — starring Matilda Lutz, Bérénice Béjo and Romain Duris — remains Final Cut. The film will open the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 17.
