France’s far-right movement is moving beyond electoral politics to rework the architecture of culture. For professionals in film, music, visual art and media, the proposed changes signal more than budget cuts; they point to a shift in control over what counts as legitimate culture.
Dismantling Cultural Pillars
Key proposals from National Rally figures, backed by leaders such as Marine Le Pen and Sébastien Chenu, include cuts or restructuring of institutions that fund and promote artistic work: the CNC, the Institut Français and public broadcasters. Funding would be redirected toward heritage projects and national identity programming while conditional grants and governance changes would tighten oversight of festivals, museums and film production. The result would be fewer resources for experimental, migrant and socially critical work.
The Ideological Battle for French Identity
Rhetoric around “wokisme” frames contemporary art as a threat to a singular French identity. That framing justifies policy tools that privilege static notions of heritage over plural, evolving cultural practice. The political logic is not only cost savings. It is ideological: to shape narratives, curatorial choices and media output so they align with nationalist priorities.
A History of Suppression: Lessons for Today
Historical parallels are stark. Authoritarian regimes in 20th century Europe used cultural policy to exclude dissenting voices, purge institutions and centralise control. Those precedents show how quickly censorship, self-censorship and talent flight follow institutional capture.
Preserving Creative Independence
To protect artistic freedom and France’s global cultural influence, sector leaders should advocate for transparent funding criteria, statutory protections for institutional autonomy, international collaboration and diverse governing boards. Protecting a living cultural ecosystem means defending the institutions that allow experimentation, critique and renewal.
For the creative industries, the stakes run beyond politics. They concern the future of French soft power, the international reach of cinema and music, and the conditions under which artists can question society.
