We heard yesterday that Cannes was requiring women attendees to wear high heels to red carpet screenings. Kaiser mentioned this in her article about Emily Blunt, who had called the ludicrous rule “disappointing” after a reporter told her about it. When I heard that story I honestly assumed that it only applied to the women who were being photographed, the actresses and models in the incredible gowns, which was obnoxious on its face. Who were these mysterious Cannes bigwigs who were trying to dictate what women should wear on the red carpet? The thing is, this arbitrary and maddening rule was for all women attending the red carpet premiere of a film, not just the famous ones being photographed. This resulted in many women, particularly older ladies, being turned away from a screening for wearing flats. They couldn’t even see the movie because their heels weren’t high enough! Screen has the news:
In a bad PR move for the push for gender equality, a handful of women in their 50’s were turned away from the screening of Todd Haynes’ competition entry Carol [the film’s feminist appeal further ironising the shut-out] on Sunday night after being told the height of their smart footwear didn’t pass muster.
Multiple guests, some older with medical conditions, were denied access to the anticipated world-premiere screening for wearing rhinestone flats.
The festival declined to comment on the matter, but did confirm that it is obligatory for all women to wear high-heels to red-carpet screenings.
Senna director Asif Kapadia, whose Amy Winehouse documentary Amy screened during the festival, subsequently tweeted that his wife had received similar treatment, but was eventually let in.
“Someone I know was turned away for wearing nice flats, nothing you would wear to the beach. They were in their 50’s. They told her she could go and buy appropriate shoes and come back.”
While Cannes glamour is an essential part of the festival’s mystique and fun – men are required to wear bow-ties – the festival might need to rethink its sartorial policies to accommodate those physically unable to remain slaves to fashion or who don’t fancy opting in to gender codes.
I can’t believe that someone thought this was a good idea and that people were actually enforcing it. This must have been an arrogant executive decision, because I can’t imagine an entire panel of people, even all men, agreeing to force all women to wear high heels or not be allowed to watch a film. Fancy dress is one thing, but heels? No.
Screen has a follow-up from the Cannes PR representative, Christine Aime, who made a somewhat confusing statement about the fact that some security guards (also called hosts/hostesses) were turning women away for wearing heels. She said “Regarding the dress code for the red carpet screenings, rules have not changed throughout the years (Tuxedo, formal dress for Gala screenings) and there is no specific mention about the height of the women’s heels as well as for men’s. Thus, in order to make sure that this rule is respected, the festival’s hosts and hostesses were reminded of it.” The Associated Press claims that Aime is saying that this was a mistake made by individual security guards, but it’s also possible to interpret that statement as a reference to an unwritten rule about heels that the hostesses were told to enforce.
Aime’s statement may be deliberately vague. Prior to this non-clarification, Screen was able to get confirmation from a department of Cannes that “women were ‘obligated’ to wear heels to red-carpet screenings” under the current dress code.
After all the publicity and fallout, the head of the festival, Thierry Fremaux, tweeted in French that the high heel dress code claims were “unfounded.” Screen adds that at a dinner for the film Sicaro, Fremaux told guests that “there is no ban on high heels and that people [are] making too much fuss.” Multiple guests and a division of the festival confirmed this story, so either Fremaux wasn’t aware of this policy or is trying to save face.
French reader Manta points out that several celebrity women have worn flats this year at Cannes, including Inès de la Fressange at The Irrational Man, Frédérique Bredin (a former french minister) and Isabella Rosselini. Regardless, it’s clear that many women attendees were turned away from at least one screening for wearing flats.
This was a sexist rule, especially at a time when Cannes is trying to bring awareness to the lack of gender equality in film, both on-screen and behind the scenes. While it’s reassuring that organizers have denied this and are trying to distance themselves from this asinine dress policy, it’s baffling that it was even enforced in the first place. There are just two women directors in competition this year. I assume they would have been turned away from their own films if their shoes weren’t high enough.
photo credit: WENN.com
Okay Natalie Portman, etalL, tell us again how much more evolved other countries are compared to the US.
etal, sorry.
Yep.. That’s simply ridiculous
BLUE MARIE!
It’s insanely sexist.
Yep, sexist. A woman actually fell while the reporter was there reporting on the story.
what has that to do with the country? its one film festival.
Because if they were that evolved then forcing women to wear heels wouldn’t have happened. That was just plain old sexism.
again: what has that to do with the whole country?
Because if this would have happened in the US, some American actress who moved to Europe, would be waxing philosophic about what neanderthal buffoons Americans are.
Not that they aren’t at times, but this is a ridiculous throwback to the 50s(?).
“Because if this would have happened in the US, some American actress who moved to Europe, would be waxing philosophic about what neanderthal buffoons Americans are.”
This completely.
Yes it has nothing to do with the whole country, but that never stops people from blaming the US for the actions/words of a small (and typically vocal) faction of our population.
This heels sh*t is disgustingly sexist.
It’s “et al”
2 words.
Rude.
I tried to write thanks earlier OK, but I was ‘commenting too fast’ and it wouldn’t post.
Krista, I wasn’t insulted and had already made one error.
Actually, it’s et al. with a period. The phrase being latin, et alia, meaning ‘and others’. al. is the abbreviation for alia.
“Et alia” means “and other things.” “Et alii” means “and others.” It’s easy to get them confused, IMO.
This has nothing to do with France but everything to do with sexist, uptight elites. It’s not our fault if expat American actresses feel the need to fiercely critique and talk shit on their home country.
Who faulted you? I specifically mentioned an actress considered American. And it happened there, not in the US.
That is revolting! I have to say though I really hope I’m still wearing heels when in my 50’s.
I’m from Colorado. I don’t wear deodorant. (preface to every conversation) While I croon over beautiful heels. Bekenstock has hijacked heel tolerance. The days of self inflicted vanity pain lives only through empathy!
I’m 58 and I can’t wear really high heels. This makes me angry and sad.
I’m only 44 and I can’t tolerate really high heels. In fact I can only wear any length of heels or wedges for a few hours. Wearing heels and “delicate” shoes all my life really screwed up my feet.
There was a time in my life where I wore very high heels every day and loved it. I’m 52 now and only wear them when absolutely necessary. And I loathe every minute of it when I do, which thankfully is not very often!
I’m in my 30’s and I hate heels. Try to avoid them at all costs. I don’t understand why I must torture myself to look good.
I always spend money on heels…then I try to find ways to avoid wearing them! I think I always hope that I will find the magical pair that won’t kill my feet.
When I was in college, I wore heels all the time and didn’t understand why people said they hurt. I thought it was some odd weak ankle situation. Then just a few years later the natural pads under the balls of my started to get thinner, and now when I wear heels I can feel my foot bones crushing into the ground.
I still wear them occasionally, but I must be going somewhere that has valet and seating options! Or a work day that won’t involve a lot of walking. If I am going to a bar, I prefer to wear my boots that have heels on them, they are a billion times more comfortable.
There’s now a cosmetic procedure to get fat injected into the ball of your foot for that very reason! They’ve thought of everything.
Me too. Wore them all throughout my twenties and then at 30, I decided to hell with heels.
I have a million pairs underneath my desk to change into when I get to work, but outside of the office, I live in sneakers and flat boots.
I’m 51 and still wear heels… on rare occasion. I hate heels.
I see plenty of young woman walking around the city with their heels in their hands, bare feet all dirty. Gross. Just wear comfortable shoes to begin with. Or at least keep spare flats in your bag.
If necessary I wear heels, I actually like them, but I always have a pair of tennis shoes with me also… Besides, driving with high heels is also complicated, and since I have to drive to work (I give classes in 2 different schools and sometimes only have a brief break between them, I have to use the car.)… I’ve done this for years… 😀
This is as bad as it’s going to get, now women are being discriminated for their shoe choices. Imagine now that your worth is being measured by if you wear flats or heels, if it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny, but we cannot laugh at such ludicrousness.
Shocking story in DM that Danish film producer Valeria Richter was repeated stopped and challenged for not wearing heels despite being an partial amputee and therefore unable to wear them
In this particular case, sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Denying someone with a disability access to a public/work setting? Oops. Just highlights the stupidity and ignorance inherent in any kind of discrimination.
Footwear is a bit different from the soft layers worn above in being essential to mobility, weight bearing, and influenced by musculo-skeletal factors.
Humans just made them pretty. And then figured out how to use them to cripple women all over again.
Me and my glam bunions cancelling Cannes for next year…
Does France have a law similar to the ADA, so Ms. Richter might have a basis to sue? Honest question.
If they had been done this to a group of men, ethnic minorities, or disabled people there would have been a huge outcry, but because it was done to older women, it’s okay with a lot of people, including the media. Nobody deserves to be marginalized and excluded over appropriate footwear. It’s sexist, it’s wrong and I’m disgusted with Cannes and their half-assed response. Patriarchy is, of course, alive and well in France and Europe as well as the U.S. but this is truly repulsive behavior and I hope they’re called to task for it.
Yesterday on the Social, Lainey was saying that she’d been admonished by someone at Cannes for wearing flats to get to the press box (I’m paraphrasing), so she switched out her shoes ahead of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is true, and the Cannes people are now trying to cover their butts…why would three different women all lie about it, after all?
Yeah, it’s a total CYA. I’m usually the first one to defend dress codes, as it’s about respecting the established atmosphere of a venue, but this is just outrageous. In my wildest hypothesizing I can’t find a context where anyone could defend forcing amputees and the elderly to wear what are effectively mini-stilts. Just unbelievable.
I almost wish that they had asked Isabella Rosselini to change into heels. Rosselini takes no prisoners –
Right? That’s a verbal smackdown I would have paid money to see.
My takeaway from all this. Never underestimate the ability of people, esp., those that consider themselves the Elite, to be ridiculous.
Yes. Exactly. Plus 1 billion points.
Perfect assessment.
Beautifully stated. We can all go home. But we’re going to walk home, IN FLATS.
*punk rock hand gestures*
Perfect.
Now if only all the women would ban together and all wear flats today. That would be something.
Hahaha…well said!
Really. “Let them wear clogs.”
I heard that Anna Wintour has to be carried up and down stairs at events because of heels. I’m not sure if that’s true, but if it is…what’s the point of all the torture? It made me wonder where this trend came from, and why we even do this to ourselves. It can’t be for the fun of it? The more yoga I do the less I want to drink smoke stay up late or wear heels. Canne’s officials should just ban the whole yoga culture.
Absolutely!
Ludicrous and infuriating. I cannot wear spindly heels at all – a wedge or chunky heel at a push, but this really gets my goat. How dare they! Despicable attitude from the organizers. Would be nice if some of the female celebs showed a little solidarity and wore flats in protest – I know I would, b*stards! grr.
I could MAYBE see the argument for the red carpet, since those women are getting paid in part to show off the fashion goods. But the socialites, particularly the elderly? That’s just discriminatory on multiple levels. One of the women who was reportedly chided had a medical condition that prevented her from wearing heels – as in, she was missing part of her foot!
It would be even nicer if the men tried walking around in those ridiculous shoes.
Or if they policed the men’s footwear, this is sexist nonsense at its finest.
as if the guards came up with the rule themselves. obviously it was enforced from the organizers.
What next, binding feet?
That’s exactly what came to mind.
So…super sheer crotch windows are considered formal wear, but flat shoes are a no go? What sexist moron thought that one up? I wish at least one cast had been brave enough to flout the rules and have the men and women trade shoes.
Right?
LOL……..
If they are going to enforce a dress code, they really need to be looking at inappropriate body exposure.
Flats and low heels rock. Plus, not everyone wants to torture their feet in high heels. Maybe the people behind this ludicrous rule have stock in foot surgery clinics!
My dream Cannes carpet: Eddie Izzard, in glorious make-up and heels, opining away about the rule in fluent French during an interview.
So glad to see that the days of footbinding – of deforming women’s feet for the benefit of
‘fashion’ – are behind us as a society….oh, wait.
Never mind!
The really sad part is women put up with this crap.
Not all women.
In the horrifying movie Missing, based on the true story of an American reporter who disappears in a central American dictatorship, women in Chile are stopped on the street by soldiers for wearing pants. In one scene, a soldier screams that all women must wear skirts, while slicing a woman’s pants with his knife. This heel business is no small thing.
Agree. It’s just another gentle reminder that the brutes make the rules and the women must obey or lose access to the corridors of power.
My (American) mother lived in Florence, Italy for a year in the 1950’s as an exchange student, she and her roommate went out one day in slacks, and they were literally chased off the streets, hounded and pestered by men the whole way, and had to run back to their pensione and change into skirts. Times have changed since then, that was sixty years ago now, but women are still second class citizens on this planet and there are plenty of men happy to remind us of it.
High heels on the red carpet rule is ridiculous. But I’m very surprised about the reaction, in the most positive way. I remember how just a couple years ago Kristen Stewart would get ridiculed and called unprofessional every time she switched her high heels to converse after the pictures were taken. Glad to see it changes now.
In all fairness, the criticism there wasn’t about being unfeminine. It was about her repeatedly biting the hand that feeds her by showing contempt. There’s nothing wrong with having a red carpet dress code, as long as it’s not designed to belittle one gender. A woman who arrives in a snappy designer suit that meets the gender inclusive dress code is different than wearing sneakers to a formal events.
Disagree. There was no contempt. She only once went in converse, to a MTV awards, her ankle was hurt. The rest, she always had high heels for pictures and switched afterwards to be able to sign autographs.
It was definitely about her not conforming to the ridiculous idea how girls always should look, even though it wasn’t some rebellion on her part.
It’s actually very disheartening to see that this changes don’t apply to everyone.
Allegedly, one of the women who got hassled is an amputee, and she probably needed a special prosthetic leg to wear heels. That is gross.
If I was told I couldn’t wear flats, I’d take off my shoes and go barefoot. Many with conditions like ms have balance problems and their access rights are being denied. Insane. If they had a ‘ no ugly dress’ policy, the place would be half empty. Oh, I forgot..this event has nothing to do with films..just for being seen and making, umm, yacht hookups.
I would never wear flats on the red carpet. High heels all the way!
Then your feet are in better shape than mine! I can no longer wear high heels due to foot pain. I like looking at them, but I haven’t worn even low heels for years.
but thats your choice. if i want to wear a corset should all attendees be forced to do the same?
The issue is would you force every other woman to do the same or deny them entrance, good on you for liking heels but the issue is about freedom for others. Forcing an amputee to wear heels or leave is not something anyone should even tacitly support.
So, one can go almost naked (with all the see-through dresses) as long as you wear high-heels?
That’s all I have to say, about such idiotic decision…
Meet him at the door in Saran Wrap and heels, honey!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marabel_Morgan
Yeah, I’d look fashionable .. 🙂
Had to check what Saran Wrap was.. new word learnt.. Good….
That’s outrageous and offensive. Worse for women who have medical conditions and can’t just change shoes but how dare they presume to tell anybody that they must wear heels.
I love Emily’s dress and shoes, she looks beautiful.
My 21 year old athlete daughter was invited to a film premiere several weeks ago and invited me to be her +1. We bought her a formal gown and very high heels which she had never worn before. (She’s worn low heels.) “How do you walk in these things? Are your toes SUPPOSED to be pointing down to the ground?” she asked me. She also said “Do NOT walk away from me and leave me alone in these heels!” She did look gorgeous if I may say. We didn’t have time to shorten the dress to accommodate a lower heel and she managed.
So it’s forbidden to wear flats but you can dress like this?
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNyGqMmThbZDyCA6gv6juRPV6qgsqS5-1a0oJZ30d3L26SMHfIyA
*Shakes head and goes for Bailey’s in coffee.*
I had an employer who insisted women wear heels of at least 3 inches at work. I worked there for less than a year. I couldn’t take it. It’s got to be against the law to discriminate like that.
I love my high heels, I cannot lie! I wear them everyday to work, and while I’m over 50 I don’t consider myself to be past the age of wearing them, thank you very much. I get that not everyone is into that, or if it’s a health issue, though. The day will come when I can’t wear them anymore I’m sure. For now, if I’m going out and getting glammed up, high heels are definitely part of the outfit.
Inès de la Fressange is my spirit animal.
Yeah I can’t wear heels. I have flat narrow feet and there is no heel in the world that can contain my heels. My heels are always stepping out of the shoe no matter what I do or the size of the shoe. I would end up like Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars.
For the people arguing that the policy is okay if they allow exclusions for those with medical conditions precluding the wearing of heels…why should a woman have to reveal her PERSONAL PRIVATE medical information to attend a freakin’ movie screening? What if a woman doesn’t want to reveal missing toes, diabetes, or any other medical condition?
This rule is ridiculous. It makes me so angry. Heels are bad for EVERYONE even those without any medical conditions and so their use should ALWAYS be optional. No one should be forced to partake in an unhealthy behaviour if they don’t wish to.
sorry post in error tried to delete
F* ck them.
I love your comment, sums up my feelings.
Faulk that shit- I wish all the actresses there would protest thta rule and carry their heels, or just wear flats. I’d like to see them deny cate blanchett or emma stone entry if she wears flats