Cate Blanchett and Agnes Varda led 82 female industry figures in a silent ascent of the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday protesting the lack of female representation at the event over its 71 editions.
Other stars joining the protest – taking place on Cannes iconic red steps ahead of the premiere of Eva Husson’s Girls of the Sun in Competition – included Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Ava DuVernay and Lea Seydoux.
Dressed mainly in black the women ascended the steps in silence and then stood while this year’s jury president Cate Blanchett and Cannes veteran Agnes Varda read the same statement in English and French.
“We all face unique challenges but we stand on the steps today as a symbol of our determination and commitment to progress. We are writers, we are producers, we are directors, actresses, cinematographers, talent agents, editors, distributors and all of us are involved in the cinematic arts,” said Blanchett. “We stand here today in solidarity with women of all industries.”
“82 women, representing the number of female directors who have climbed these stairs since the first edition of the Cannes Film Festival since 1946,” read Blanchett
“In the same period, 1,688 male directors have climbed these very stairs. In the 71 years of this world-renowned festival, there have been only 12 female heads of its juries. The prestigious Palme d’Or has been bestowed upon 71 male directors, but only two female directors, Jane Campion, who is here in spirit, and the wonderful Agnes Varda who is here today. These facts are stark and undeniable.”
Moving, historic, 82 women from all countries and professions in cinema have just made the red carpet entrance for LES FILLES DU SOLEIL (GIRLS OF THE SUN) by Eva Husson. #Cannes2018 #Competition pic.twitter.com/0YY9SNbRqg
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 12, 2018
French cinema gender equality movement 5050x2020, which spearheaded the initiative, pre-released a list of the women taking part in the show of solidarity.
- Agathe Valentin International sales agent
- Agnès Varda director
- Agniezka Smoczynska director
- Alba Rohrwacher director
- Alexandra Henochsberg distributor, producer
- Alice Rohrwacher director
- Andréa Bescond director
- Anja Kofmel director
- Anna Mouglalis actress
- Anna Ciennik production manager
- Anne Lai producer
- Anne Berest screentwriter
- Annemarie Jacir director
- Ariane Ascaride actress
- Ava DuVernay director
- Beatriz Seigner director
- Bénédicte Couvreur producer
- Bérénice Vincent international sales agent
- Carole Scotta producer, distributor
- Caroline Benjo producer, distributor
- Caroline Bonmarchand producer
- Cécile Cassel actress
- Cécile Aubert production assistant
- Céline Salette actress
- Céline Sciamma director, screenwriter
- Claudia Cardinale actress
- Clémence Poésy actress
- Clotilde Courau actress
- Cristina Gallego director
- Daniela Elstner international sales agent
- Delphyne Besse international sales agent
- Diana Elbaum producer
- Dina Emam producer
- Elisabeth Tanner talent agent
- Elisabeth Perez producer
- Eva Sangiorgi programmer
- Géraldine Pailhas actress
- Ginevra Elkann producer
- Haifaa Al Mansour director
- Houda Benyamina director
- Hylda Queally talent agent
- Iris Brey journalist
- Isabel Mercier producer
- Jane Fonda actress
- Jasmine Trinca actress
- Jeanne Lapoirie director of photography
- Judith Nora producer
- Julie Huntsinger producer
- Julie Gayet producer, actress
- Julie Billy producer
- Julie Bertucelli director
- Keleigh Thomas Morgan talent agent
- Khadja Nin musician, singer
- Kim Longinotto director
- Kiska Higgs producer
- Kirsten Stewart actress
- Laure Parleani international sales agent
- Laurence Lascary producer
- Léa Seydoux actress
- Leïla Bekhti actress
- Lisa Azuelos director, producer
- Lolita Chammah actress
- Maha Dakhil talent agent
- Mariana Ximenes actress
- Marianne Slot producer
- Marie Masmonteil producer
- Marie Monge director
- Marie Amachoukeli director, screenwriter
- Marie-Ange Luciani producer
- Marie-Pierre Macia producer
- Marion Cotillard actress
- Marion Tharaud distributor
- Marleyda Soto actress
- Melissa Silverstein journalist
- Mélita Toscan du Plantier producer
- Meryem Benm’Barek director
- Michèle Halberstadt producer, distributor
- Nandita Das director
- Naomi Denamur acquisitions executive
- Patty Jenkins director
- Pauline Gygax producer
- Priscilla Bertin producer
- Rasika Dugal actress
- Rebecca Zlotowski director, screenwriter
- Rohena Gera director
- Rosalie Varda costume designer, producer
- Salma Hayek actress, producer
- Sandrine Brauer producer
- Sofia Boutella actress
- Sophie Reine film editor
- Sophie Mas producer
- Stacey Martin actress
- Tonie Marshall director
- Ursula Meier director
- Valentina Novati producer, distributor
- Valérie Donzelli director, producer, actress
- Vanessa Filho director
- Virginie Ledoyen actress
- Wanuri Kahiu director
- Zabou Breitman director, actress
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