Fnac under fire over tricolore pic
Politicians condemn high-street shop for awarding photo prize to an image of a man using the French flag as toilet paper
HIGH-STREET shopping giant Fnac has angered politicians by giving a prize to a photo of a man using the French tricolore flag as toilet paper.
The "politically incorrect" photo competition was organised by the Nice branch of Fnac and the winners' works were exhibited at a local museum and published in the Métro newspaper.
One of the five images selected by the jury shows a man with his trousers around his ankles, wiping his behind with the French flag.
The mayor and MP for Peone-Valberg in the Alpes-Maritimes, Charles-Ange Ginésy, said Fnac had "gone off the rails" by giving out the prize.
He has written to Justice Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie asking her to begin legal action against the photographer and the man pictured.
Alpes-Maritimes vice-president Lionnel Luca told TF1 News: "This isn't politically incorrect, it's provocation, it's an insult."
The departmental council has written a letter of complaint to Fnac chief executive Christophe Cuvillier.
A Fnac spokesperson said the company had received negative reaction from several people and had agreed to withdraw the image.
The 25-year-old photographer, Frédéric Laurent, said the controversy was a fuss over nothing.
French law allows for a fine of up to €7,500 and 10 months in prison for anyone who defaces the flag or fails to respect the national anthem, but only at public events.
