text: Former Manchester United midfielder Eric Cantona has refuted claims he starred in a soft porn film, insisting You and the Night is a 'piece of art'. The French film has a number of racy scenes, and at one point sees Cantona on his hands and knees in just his underwear. But the 48-year-old is adamant it is not pornography. Speaking at the Laureus Sports Awards in Shanghai, Cantona said: 'Porn? No, it's not porn. It's a piece of art. It's just a piece of art. But you can see it like this. Eric Cantona was speaking to the media at the Shanghai Grand Theatre prior to the Laureus Sports Awards . You and the Night includes a scene in a cage, with Cantona alongside Beatrice Dalle in just his underwear . 'It's beautiful. You should see it. Unfortunately, porn is not so aesthetic and so beautiful. But love is sex also, you know? 'This kind of story for the ones who have seen it - I'm sure nobody has seen it - it's too beautiful. 'This kind of story, when you choose to do it, you have to know the director. If it's somebody special, if it's a real artist, you can do it. You can give, and be confident enough.' Cantona has defended the film, saying it is 'a work of art' and 'beautiful', and not a porn film as some have said . In one scene, Cantona is on his hands and knees in his pants while a woman with a whip stands over him . Cantona stars alongside French actress Beatrice Dalle, playing a character named 'The Stud', and the film has been both praised and slated in equal measure. While one called it a 'superb artistic orgy', another reviewer branded it 'a film that confuses the audience and falls in the gap between arthouse and trashy farce.'
target: Eric Cantona stars in a French film called 'You and the Night'
  The film includes a scene with Cantona on all fours in just his pants .
  The former Manchester United midfielder says it is not a porn film .
  Cantona says of the film: 'It's a piece of art... it's beautiful'
  READ: Cantona whipped in film based around an orgy .
  Cantona: Man Utd will be in title race next season under Louis van Gaal .