Cannes accused of being sexist

Feminist film-makers attack Cannes Film Festival the night before opening, accusing the festival of being sexist. An opinion piece that had appeared yesterday (15th May) in the French magazine Le Monde by a group of female film-makers who accused Cannes Film Festival of turning away films from female directors.

The feminist group, “La Barb“, made an e-petition last weekend against Cannes, and to show it is sexist. The petition had gained more than 1,000 signatures over the weekend — mainly from women.

Director Virginie Despentes, film-maker Coline Serreau and actress Fanny Cottençon wrote a letter which said: “The directors of the 22 films in competition this year are all, by happy coincidence, men. For the 63rd time in its existence, the Festival will crown one of its own.” Yet in 1993, the Golden Palm was awarded to female director, Jane Campion and in 2011 four women featured among the 20 nominees in competition. “This year, gentlemen you’ve come to your senses and we are overjoyed…men like depth in women, but only in their cleavage”.

The Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux has played down the attack and is making sure the event still goes ahead smoothly, saying: “I would never select a film that doesn’t deserve it just because it is directed by a woman”.

The festival is set to see a mix of big Hollywood names arriving including Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

 Matthew Warcup