Arabic version: تكريم جوائز سيزار لباردو قوبل بردود فعل سلبية من الجمهور

A tribute to Brigitte Bardot during the César awards ceremony was met with significant audience disapproval on Thursday. According to The Guardian, boos were clearly audible among the applause, alongside shouts of “racist!” during the segment honoring the late actress.

Bardot, who died in December aged 91, was a prominent figure in postwar French cinema, known for her roles in films such as *And God Created Woman* and *Contempt*. However, her legacy has been complicated by her later political activities, which aligned with far-right ideologies and led to multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred.

The mixed reactions to Bardot’s tribute were exemplified by musician Chappell Roan, who deleted a social media tribute after learning about her controversial views. Roan expressed disappointment, stating, “Holy shit I did not know all that insane shit Ms Bardot stood for. I do not condone this. Very disappointing to learn.”

Despite her celebrated status as a cultural icon in the 1950s and 60s, Bardot’s later years were marked by divisive political statements, particularly those targeting LGBTQ+ communities and France’s Muslim population. Her 2003 book *A Cry in the Silence* criticized various societal groups, further complicating her legacy.

The César awards have a history of protest actions, including notable incidents like Corinne Masiero’s stunt in 2021 and a walkout in 2020 when Roman Polanski won best director. This year, the César for best film was awarded to *The Ties That Bind Us*, directed by Carine Tardieu, while Richard Linklater took home the best director award for his film *Nouvelle Vague*.