A tribute to honour the late actress Brigitte Bardot was met with an awkward reaction. The animal rights activist received a lukewarm reception at the Cesar Film Awards on Thursday, with boos heard throughout the audience as it aired during the ceremony. The actress, who was considered an iconic sex symbol of the 1960s, died in December aged 91.
Known as the original "Sex Kitten", she shot to international notoriety with her role in the 1956 film, And God Created Woman, which was directed by her first husband Roger Vadim.
During the ceremony, Brigitte's contributions to the film industry were honoured at the awards held in Paris. The tribute featured a montage of Brigitte's most iconic roles before she retired from acting in 1973.
But once the video montage had aired social media users who tuned in, shared members of the audience could be heard booing and whistling.
Brigitte known to be a passionate defender of animal rights, was also known for her far-right views and also had five criminal convictions for inciting racial hatred.
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According to French publication, Culture, boos erupted from the audience at the Olympia in Paris. A person also shouted "Racist!" at the end of the tribute, according to witnesses.
Many social media users expressed their outrage on X, some referring to "deplorable booing," others lamenting a "ruined" ceremony.
One penned: "An indelible stain on this ceremony."
Another fumed: "Brigitte Bardot, who has done so much for France, so much for animals, so much for French cinema, was booed by a part of the French film industry! Disgusting!!!!!"
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A third vented: "#CESAR I can't believe that, safely hidden in the audience, a few proud fools thought it appropriate to boo Brigitte, knowing nothing about her life, her career, having never done anything good in particular or for animals in general."
According to the aforementioned publication, after Brigitte's death part of the political class, particularly on the left, rejected the idea of a national tribute to the global star.
Despite her film success, Brigitte remains a controversial figure, having made racist and homophobic remarks during her life.
She has also received substantial fines and had been forced to apologise during court appearances in France.
