Cannes criticised for high heels rule as women wearing flats turned away
The Cannes Film Festival has come under fire for its policy of only allowing women dressed in high heels to walk on the red carpet for its formal premieres.
The rule came to light after Screen International reported that several middle-aged women - some with medical conditions - were turned away from the Sunday premiere of Cate Blanchett's new film Carol for wearing flats.
Women thrown off Cannes red carpet at Carol premiere for wearing flat shoes saysScreen. So much for the year of women pic.twitter.com/5bpdu5QDWp
— Jack Malvern (@jackmalvern) May 19, 2015
Actress Emily Blunt was asked about the controversy at a press conference for her new film, FBI drama Sicario.
“Everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldn’t wear high heels,” said Blunt.
“That’s very disappointing, just when you kind of think there are these new waves of equality.”
Sicario director Denis Villeneuve joked that he, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin would wear heels to tonight’s premiere in protest.
The red carpet at Cannes is highly regulated by tradition - black tie/evening dress is required for gala screenings. The dress code is not explicitly spelled out by the festival but is enforced by security guards.
@muirkate happened to my wife (eventually let in)
— asifkapadia (@asifkapadia) May 19, 2015
But it seems like someone has had a quiet but stern word with the powers-that-be.
Ushers at Cannes have now been "reminded" that the height of women's heels at premieres are not part of the official dress code #heelgate
— Jack Malvern (@jackmalvern) May 19, 2015
Tonight’s Gala premiere should be interesting - how many celebs do you think will make a low-heeled stand and wear flats?
