Cannes' Controversial Code: High Heels Only, Ladies

Women reportedly spurned for wearing flats on red carpet
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 19, 2015 9:07 AM CDT
Cannes' Controversial Code: High Heels Only, Ladies
Actress Emily Blunt poses for photographers during a photo call for the film "Sicario" at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France, Tuesday, May 19, 2015.   (Lionel Cironneau)

The Cannes Film Festival is coming under scrutiny for its policy of only allowing women dressed in high heels to walk the red carpet for its formal premieres. Many are criticizing the festival after Screen International reported that several middle-aged women were turned away from the Sunday premiere of Carol for wearing flats. Today, at least one actress spoke out about the matter: Emily Blunt called the report "very disappointing."

The red carpet at Cannes is highly regulated by tradition: Men are expected to wear tuxedos, women dresses and heels. The dress code isn't explicitly spelled out by the festival, but it is enforced by security guards. Meanwhile, Sicario director Denis Villeneuve joked that he, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin would wear heels to the evening premiere in protest. The festival did not immediately respond to queries. (More Cannes Film Festival stories.)

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