Several mainstream French newspapers simultaneously asked the question: 'Did the release of Home on 5 June, which resembles a cry for help, favour the 'Europe Ecologie' lists?'
Indeed, Daniel Cohn-Bendit's 'Europe Ecologie' surprisingly obtained 16.3% of the vote in France, more than doubling the score of 7.41% posted in the 2004 EU elections.
However, it is difficult to evaluate the impact of the film. Surveys had already shown growing support for the Greens, eroding the leadership of the two big European Parliament political groups, the centre-right EPP and the Socialists (EurActiv 04/06/09).
The French far-right denounced the "manipulation" of releasing of the film on the eve of the elections.
"I stress the extravagant, scandalous character of broadcasting the film 'Home', a movie designed to boost the candidacies of [French grass-root environmentalist José] Bové and Mr. Cohn-Bendit," said Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the far-right 'Front National'.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand rejected any hints of manipulation. "The date for broadcasting the film was decided two years ago, and I really had to rush to be able to finish in time," he said, quoted by Le Monde.
But he conceded that by watching the film, viewers may have been influenced in their vote.
French Green leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit concurred with this view. "There is an ecological sensibility in France. This sensibility has been activated or certainly reactivated by films like 'Home'. Yes, it is possible," he said.
Arthus-Bertrand said that following this line of thought, the film may have also helped the ruling UMP party of President Nicolas Sarkozy, "which has a good environment minister" [Jean-Louis Borloo].
Even Sarkozy spoke about the controversy. The French president said he "did not understand" the polemic surrounding the film. "If there is a mission for public TV, it is to explain environmental challenges to citizens," Sarkozy said.
The press reported that France 2 had hesitated before releasing the film. At the time of the release, an anchor explained that the date for the broadcast of 'Home', in 134 countries simultaneously, had been decided long before the date of the EU elections was set.
