The top 5 moments of the 71st Cannes Film Festival
The 72nd Festival de Cannes is fast-approaching! But first, let’s recap some of 2018’s most memorable moments.
By Sandra Sparrowhawk | May 1, 2019
Cannes Film Festival 2018 proved to be the event’s most political year yet as the festival grappled with issues of gender inequality, sexism and race discrimination in what was the first Cannes Film Festival of the post-Harvey Weinstein #MeToo era.
Here are the 5 most exciting and ground-breaking moments of the Cannes Film Festival 2018:
Barefoot-protest on the red carpet
In a bold move, Chanel ambassador Kristen Stewart was spotted taking a stand against the film festival’s strict dress code on Monday night. The actress ditched her stilettos as she arrived for the premiere of Academy Award-winning movie BlacKkKlansman and walked the remainder of the red carpet barefoot.
The Cannes red carpet has become infamous for its strict high heels only policy, with multiple film stars speaking out against it in recent years.
The women’s march takes center stage
In a reference to the number of female directors who have climbed the steps of the Palais, the festival’s central theater, 82 of the leading female professionals in the film industry came together for a show of defiance. The women, led by actress Cate Blanchet, walked the red carpet arm in arm to promote gender equality in the film industry.
Cannes leaders sign gender parity and inclusion pledge
Following the success of the women’s march, three of the film festival’s most renowned figures signed a charter to improve gender parity and inclusion at international film festivals.
Cannes’ Critics’ Week artistic director Charles Tesson, Directors’ Fortnight artistic director Edouard Waintrop, and festival director Thierry Frémaux all signed the “Programming Pledge for Parity and Inclusion in Cinema Festivals.”
Spike Lee gets political in anti-Trump speech
Filmmaker Spike Lee made a statement of a political kind as he lashed out against Trump on Tuesday, following the premiere of his Grand Prix winning production BlacKkKlansman, which was met with an astounding six-minute standing ovation.
Asia Argento Calls out Weinstein in Fiery Speech
Actress Asia Argento delivered a powerful speech at the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday as she took an aim against none other than disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, who she claimed raped her at Cannes in 1997. Following the accusations, the Italian actress issued a warning to others in the industry who have committed sexual misconduct:
“You know who you are. But most importantly, we know who you are. And we’re not going to allow you to get away with it any longer.”
The 72nd Cannes Film Festival kicks off on May 14th and lasts until May 25th 2019.