Cannes Red Carpet Screening Bans Women Without High Heels

Women wearing flats were reportedly not allowed to enter the screening of “Carol” at Cannes Film Festival

Women, not wearing high heels, were reportedly turned away from the screening of “Carol” on Sunday at Cannes Film Festival.

According to Screen Daily, many complained about not allowing access to the premiere of “Carol” because of their flat shoes, even though some of them could not wear high heels due to varying medical conditions.

Vicci Ho, a former film festival programmer told BCC Newsbeat that the staff stopped her to enter the screening on Sunday but eventually she was allowed to get in after explaining that she has ankle problems.

“It has been ridiculous this year. Cannes need to catch up with the times. Being fashionable for women is no longer about wearing high heels. They need to train their guards better.” The woman said.

Asif Kapadia, the filmmaker of the documentary about Amy Winehouse titled “Amy” also shared similar kind of experience via Twitter that his wife was also stopped initially for her flats but allowed in eventually.

— asifkapadia (@asifkapadia) /4/19, 2015

Cannes Film Festival is facing a backlash when these incidents were highlighted by the media. Actress Emily Blunt was one of them who reacted over the issue. In the press conference on Tuesday, Blunt called it “very disappointing” on the part of festival management to force women to wear high heels.

“Everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldn’t wear high heels anyway, that’s my point of view. I just prefer wearing Converse Sneakers.” Blunt said.

When festival director Thierry Fremaux was asked about the issue of high heel, he denied the accusation and called it baseless.

An official statement from Cannes spokesperson has also been released early this morning regarding the rules for red carpet screening.

“Rules have not changed throughout the years (tuxedo, formal dress for Gala screening). There is not specific mention about the height of the women heels. Thus in order to make sure that this rule is respected, the festival host and hostesses are reminded of it.”