Cannes Backlash: Women Turned Away From Film Festival For Wearing Flat Shoes
The Cannes Film Festival is facing a backlash after several women reported they were stopped from entering screenings Tuesday because they were wearing flat shoes. The festival is facing controversy for banning women who were not wearing heels, according to the Guardian.
“Women are reportedly being turned away from screenings for wearing flat shoes.”
Screen Daily reported that a group of women in their 50s, and who were in their rhinestone flat shoes, were turned away from a screening of Carol, even though some of the women reportedly suffered from unspecified medical conditions and couldn’t wear heels.
Valeria Richter told the Telegraph she had been reprimanded on the red carpet for her footwear, despite missing her big toe and part of her foot. She said she had been stopped four times by officials at the premiere for The Sea of Trees, but she was eventually allowed to proceed.
“We put on the dress and make an effort to be formal and festive, but to demand heels is not right.”
The Cannes International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is considered as the most prestigious film festival in the world and is one of the most publicized. The invitation-only festival is held in May each year at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
Among those joining the backlash was actor Emily Blunt, who was scheduled to walk the red carpet on Tuesday night in support of her new film, the FBI drama Sicario.
Outside the Palais, 20-year-old Tami was one of many film fans hopeful of being given a spare ticket to the Tuesday night premiere by a charitable delegate. She was carrying her high heels in a plastic bag.
“It says on your ticket that you have to be smartly dressed. For women that means high heels. I wish we didn’t have to. They’re uncomfortable.”
Amy director Asif Kapadia said his wife was even initially turned away from a screening for wearing flat shoes, though she was eventually let in.
Do you believe women should have to wear heels while walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival? Sometimes a woman’s dress is so long one will not be able to see if she is wearing heels or flat shoes.
[Image via Getty Images]
