The 76th Cannes Film Festival was not only about the films and artist but also represents the culture all over the world. Though the event was held gracefully, there are some incidents which were not expected.
Here’s a list of few unfortunate incidents that took place:
1. Hollywood’s screenwriters’ strike
On the very first day of the festival, the jury was in support of the Writers. Ruben Ostlund, the head jury.of this year quoted, “I think it’s great that people have a strong collegial feeling so you can go out and have a strike”. Among the jury, US actor and director Paul Dano also supported him.
2. Ukraine protesters creates scene at the red carpet
We all are aware of the ongoing Russia and Ukraine fight. This year,the protesters reached at the the Cannes Festival for the same. At the opening day, French actress Catherine Deneuve gave tribute to the victims by reciting a writing from Ukrainian poet Lessia Oukraïnka. Her poem goes like, “I no longer have either happiness or freedom, only one hope remains to me: to return one day to my beautiful Ukraine”. Apart from this, official Russian delegations and companies are banned again from participating in the Cannes Marché du Film.
3. Johnny Depp controversy
A lot of controversy created as Johnny Depp make his way through the red carpet. His movie “Jeanne du Barry” marked his return as well as selected as the opening movie. Thierry Fremaux, the chief of the film festival also didn’t agreed to the decision. He quotes, “I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the U.S. To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule: it’s the freedom of thinking, and the freedom of speech and to act within a legal framework”.
4. Iranian uprising heard at Cannes
This year, Iran’s Farabi Film Foundation, a national film entity, had attended the festivalfor years, however was not allowed to book a stand this time. This was due to death of Mahsa Amini. The Dubai producer and director Mohammad Rasoulof, was also not allowed to leave Iran to be present on Cannes jury. As he was recently released from Tehran’s Evin prison.
5. Anti-Surrogacy group show defiance
Last but not the least, the red carpet was filled with protesters from the anti-surrogacy group. An activist ws spotted into the red carpet, she was seen posting anti-GPAclosely linked openly. Apart from her, the group of SCUMs also made their way to the red carpet. They were all showing their pregnant bellies with the message “surrogate mother”.