“Distressed by declining box office at home, French directors are blaming some of the country’s most respected film reviewers for favoring American movies and gratuitously attacking local pictures. In a volcanic debate that has roiled through the country’s newspapers, magazines and television screens for several months, the directors emerged last month with a manifesto demanding that all negative reviews be held back until after opening weekend–at least five days following the usual Wednesday opening.” Critics, as expected, reject the idea. – Los Angeles Times 01/14/00