cannes 2019

Paul Haggis Removed From Cannes Press Materials, Creating Press About Paul Haggis

Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for BOV

The screening of the film 5B at the Cannes Film Festival was supposed to be focus on the story of the nurses and caregivers in San Francisco General Hospital’s Ward 5B, who worked together to help victims of the early ’80s HIV/AIDS epidemic. And it did, mostly. That is, until the credits rolled and viewers were surprised to see Paul Haggis had produced and co-directed the film with Dan Krauss, a fact that was omitted from the distributed press materials. According to The Hollywood Reporter’s source, the decision was made to try and prevent Haggis’s rape and sexual misconduct accusations — which he has denied — to overshadow the film’s message. And while it looks like that may have backfired somewhat, the film was acquired by Verizon, which will premiere it at L.A. Pride. It will also be released in theaters in June.

Paul Haggis Was Removed From Press Materials, It Backfired