Cate Blanchett Leads Cannes Protest

Among the women who joined Blanchett were fellow jury members Kristen Stewart and Ava DuVernay, plus Lea Seydoux, Marion Cotillard, Salma Hayek, Leila Bekhti, Sofia Bouterra, Patty Jenkins and Agnes Varda.

• Blanchett and Verda also read a statement to underline the purpose of their protest. The Hollywood Reporter reprinted the remarks in full.

BLANCHETT AND VERDA DEMAND EQUALITY

• “On these steps today stand 82 women representing the number of female directors who have climbed these stairs since the first edition of the Cannes Film Festival in 1946. In the same period 1,688 male directors have climbed these very same stairs. In the 71 years of this world-renowned festival there have been 12 female heads of its juries. The prestigious Palme d’Or has been bestowed upon 71 male directors – too numerous to mention by name – but only two women – Jane Campion, who is with us in spirit, and Agns Varda who stands with us today,” said Blanchett.
• “These facts are stark and undeniable. Women are not a minority in the world, yet the current state of our industry says otherwise. As women, we all face our own unique challenges, but we stand together on these stairs today as a symbol of our determination and commitment to progress. We are writers, producers, directors, actresses, cinematographers, talent agents, editors, distributors, sales agents and all involved in the cinematic arts. We stand in solidarity with women of all industries,” they continued, before reading out a list of demands.
• “We will expect our institutions to actively provide parity and transparency in their executive bodies and safe environments in which to work. We will expect our governments to make sure that the laws of equal pay for equal work are upheld. We will demand that our workplaces are diverse and equitable so that they can best reflect the world in which we actually live. A world that allows all of us behind and in front of the camera to thrive shoulder to shoulder with our male colleagues. We acknowledge all of the women and men who are standing for change. The stairs of our industry must be accessible to all. Let’s climb.”

MEN VS. WOMEN AT CANNES

• While only 82 films directed by women have been featured at Cannes. In comparison, 1,688 films by male directors have been featured.
• Their protest was held prior to the premiere of the only female-helmed film in the main competition at Cannes this year, Eva Husson‘s Girls of the Sun. When they entered the Palais for the screening, the 2,300-strong crowd greeted them with a standing ovation, THR reports.