The announcement that the Just for Laughs Group was being placed under the protection of its creditors – as well as the cancellation of the next edition of the festival – provoked various reactions in the world of politics and entertainment.
Read “Just for Laughs Group: “I’m stunned”, says Luce Rozon”
Several event industry stakeholders interviewed by The Press admitted to not being surprised by the news announced Tuesday morning. Martin Roy, from the Grouping of Major International Events, is one of them. “We have been telling different people for months [ordres] government that things are not going well for festivals and events. And the epicenter remains the festivals which offer part or all of their programming for free, such as Just for Laughs, Jazz or the Francos. The inflationary wave is present, but revenues, subsidies and sponsorships are not keeping up,” argues the man who represents the interests of major cultural, sporting and entertainment events in Quebec.
Same observation from the Group of Independent Regional Artistic Festivals (REFRAIN): we receive the news not with astonishment, but with several questions. “We were already hearing rumors from the corridor, there were a lot of signals,” comments Patrick Kearney, president of the association.
On the other hand, we must remember that it is the entire Just for Laughs Group that [se protège de ses créanciers]. We talk a lot about the festival, but I’m not convinced that the 50 million [de dettes] are very much a part of the festival.
Patrick Kearney, president of the Group of independent regional artistic festivals
So, for Patrick Kearney, who defends the interests of smaller festivals, it is necessary to ask which of the many other activities of the Just for Laughs Group have deepened the company’s debts. “If we ask for help for big festivals [en réponse à cette situation]it must be justified,” he pleads.
For the future, Patrick Kearney does not have too many concerns for the humor sector, even if he is saddened for the artists and artisans who are suffering from this situation. “Nature abhors a vacuum,” he said. There will be a rebalancing. Before, comedians depended a lot on Just for Laughs. Now they exist without it. There were already no more galas, the event is no longer as essential. The ecosystem has changed. »
A company that has lost its heart, according to Luce Rozon
Joined by The Press, Luce Rozon, sister of the founder of Just for Laughs, Gilbert Rozon, considers that this is a great loss for Quebec. “On hearing the news Tuesday morning in The Press, I had a huge shock. Not just on a personal level, as a Quebecer too. After the sale of Cirque du Soleil, it’s another Quebec flagship that we’re letting go,” says the woman who worked for 30 years for the festival and the indoor productions of Just for Laughs.
“I’m not cynical. I am sad, because I cannot explain what happened to arrive at the decision to cease all activities,” continues the woman who launched Les Agents Doubles in 2018, with her sister Lucie Rozon (Slava’s Snow Show, The night of depression…).
Luce Rozon does not want to blame the current partners at the helm of the company since 2018 – promoter evenko, Bell Media and Creative Artists Agency. However, she believes that the soul of Just for Laughs was killed. “All the organs of the company were functioning, but there was no longer any heart,” she illustrates, referring to her brother, the former boss of Just for Laughs who is still the subject of civil proceedings.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Luce Rozon in 2016
At the time, there was a pilot, a master on board. Gilbert [Rozon] inspired an entire seasoned team and instilled audacity and creativity into the Just for Laughs Group. He imagined a family and unifying festival. There were around a hundred of us and we all worked together in the same direction.
Luce Rozon
Asked whether, in her opinion, the allegations and testimonies of victims against her brother have forever tainted the brand, Mme Rozon is more sparing with comments: “Gilbert was exonerated of all accusations [au criminel]. I support him and will always support him 100%. »
“We didn’t need that”
On the side of France Film, owner of the Théâtre St-Denis and Espace St-Denis cinemas, the news was received with dismay. “It’s the icing on the sundae!” », says Claude Chabot, vice-president of business and public relations.
The industry is already fragile. Just the rental costs of technical equipment have doubled in five years. We didn’t need that.
Claude Chabot, vice-president of business and public relations at France Film
Mr. Chabot recalls that Just for Laughs was a major player in the industry and that his departure would leave a big void: “But I am an eternal optimist. I’m sure the little green guy will find new parents. » He also says he is hopeful that other producers will be able to save the musical Waitresswhich is supposed to be part of its programming.
With the collaboration of Luc Boulanger, Jean Siag, Marissa Groguhé, Mylène Crête and Charles Lecavalier, The Press
Reactions on the political scene
The Just for Laughs festival is a rich heritage, an emblem of our cultural community that has made Quebec shine internationally. My thoughts are first and foremost with the laid off employees and artists affected by this news from the JPR Group. […] I am aware of the difficult situation in which our Quebec festivals are currently. My colleague Caroline Proulx [ministre du Tourisme] and I are monitoring the situation closely.
Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe, on social networks
We will miss the Just for Laughs Festival this summer. It is a flagship event on the Montreal cultural scene and in the summer programming of the Quartier des spectacles. Hopefully, the group’s restructuring activities will allow it to make a comeback. Humor is an integral part of our culture and we will continue to support it. I asked the City of Montreal teams to contact the organization to assess the planned follow-up.
The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, on
We recognize the difficulty of the situation for the festival. As a government, we are determined to support Just for Laughs by contributing through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, which aims to support organizations organizing festivals, among others. We will remain vigilant and work closely with them so that they can continue to benefit from the various programs we offer.
The office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pascale St-Onge, in a statement sent to The Press