-
Is France’s Canal du Midi doomed to lose its famous trees?
Over 30,000 trees along the route have been felled
-
Chance to spend a night as a ‘lighthouse keeper’ on Brittany island
This renovated lighthouse keeper’s cottage provides an unusual weekend stay option
-
New French-Swiss app launches as one-stop shop for dog owners
The app shows the locations and details of dog-friendly walks, parks, hotels, activities, groomers, and entertainment
French director controversy over ‘women aged 50’ quip
French director and writer Yann Moix has caused controversy after saying he “could not love a 50-year-old woman” and “only goes out with Asian women”.
Mr Moix, aged 50 himself, made the statements in an interview with magazine Marie-Claire, published on January 4.
He said: “I am telling you the truth. Aged 50 [myself], I am incapable of loving women aged 50. I think that’s too old. When I am 60 years old, I will be able to; 50 will then appear young to me.”
He continued: “It doesn’t disgust me, it just wouldn’t occur to me. [Women aged 50] are invisible to me. I prefer younger women’s bodies, that’s all.”
He also said that he only goes out with Asians, specifying “Koreans, Chinese, Japanese”, adding: “Many people would not admit that, as it is racial bias. Maybe that is sad for the women I go out with, but the Asian race is rich, large and infinite enough, that I do not feel embarrassed."
His comments have caused controversy on social media.
Journalist and author Mona Chollet said: “Yann Moix is a sad man, confirmation in Marie-Claire.”
Yann Moix est un triste sire, confirmation dans « Marie Claire » pic.twitter.com/WjSh9FZcZS
— Mona Chollet - @monachollet.bsky.social (@monachollet) January 6, 2019
Some users wrote ironically on “Yann Moix's point of view on women's expiry date", and others said that he had “ensured a cleaned-out [love] life for a while”, with no women “rushing to queue up to be ‘used’ by him”.
Others have been posting images of high-profile 50-year-old women - such as Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Aniston and Sophie Marceau - alongside messages such as "what a pity for you", subtly questioning Mr Moix's opinion.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France