Cannes trips over 'flatgate' fiasco

The Cannes Film Festival may have turned away women who turned up in flats to the film Carol’s screening, but these celebs couldn’t care less – because ‘heels are so pointless’
In what was supposed to be the “year de la femme”, the Cannes Film Festival found itself in the middle of a controversy that doesn’t exactly highlight its love for women. Some women in their 50s were turned away from the screening of Cate Blanchett-starrer Carol (ironically, a lesbian romance set in the 1950s with a feminist appeal) for wearing flats.Some of these women had medical conditions, and were wearing rhinestone flats, not sneakers. According to reports, one guest was turned away for wearing ankle boots and tights, while another for wearing platform sandals. And in what was turning out to be a series of ironies, Carol’s other actress, Rooney Mara, actually tripped on the film’s red carpet in her high heels.
Festival accepts, then denies the rule
As the story caught social media’s attention and sparked angry reactions, festival director Thierry Fremaux denied the rule on Twitter, saying, “The rumour that the festival requires high heels for the women on the steps is baseless.” However, The Independent also carried a statement from the festival’s spokesperson confirming the rule, which said, “Regarding the dress code for the red carpet screenings, rules have not changed throughout the years. There is no specific mention about the height of the women’s heels as well as for men’s. Thus, in order to make sure that this rule is respected, the Festival’s hosts and hostesses were reminded of it.” Considering it would be difficult to catch every pair of flats walking into the screenings, because a lot of the women wear trailing dresses, The Hollywood Reporter saw several female guests being allowed to wear flats under their gowns. The publication also “spied one woman who got through in patent-leather loafers and red heart socks, while – even more daringly – another passed by security on Monday night with bright-red Dansko clogs very much on display”.
Social media criticism of flatgate
Irrespective of the ambiguity of the rule, the report prompted several women to tweet similar encounters. Former festival programmer Vicci Ho, who cannot wear heels because of her ankle, tweeted that she had to argue her way into the festival in the past. She further wrote that “I respect the festival but this year has been ridiculous.” Independent Film Company tweeted that “both our head of sales and junior turned away at Carol premiere for lack of sass in shoes.” They eventually got new pairs and went in. SXSW Film head honcho Janet Pierson tweeted the news report, adding the caption “Why I don’t go to Cannes”.
Author and critic Farran Nehme tweeted a picture of Audrey Hepburn in a formal gown with opera gloves paired with flats (she later admitted that they were “pretty flat” kitten heels), asking the festival to take a look, followed by pictures of Uma Thurman and Elizabeth Olsen in flats on the Cannes red carpet in 2011.
Hollywood agrees it’s disappointing
In a press conference for her film Sicario, when actress Emily Blunt was asked about this controversy, she said, “I think everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldn’t wear high heels anymore. That’s just my point of view. I prefer to wear Converse sneakers. That’s very disappointing.” The film’s director Denis Villeneuve added, “As a sign of protest, Benicio (Del Toro), Josh (Brolin) and I will walk the stairs in high heels tonight.” Senna director Asif Kapadia, whose Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, screened during the festival, also tweeted that this happened to his wife, but she was eventually let in.
Flats on red carpet events in the past
While heels are considered appropriate for the red carpet, many actresses have broken this rule in the past. At the National Board of Review awards gala in 2014, Emma Thompson accepted her Best Actress award with no shoes on. In her speech, she said, “I’ve taken my heels off as a feminist statement really, because why do we wear them? They’re so painful. And pointless, really.” A couple of weeks later, she was spotted at the SAG Awards red carpet in open-toe silver flats. Susan Sarandon had attended the US premiere of The Lovely Bones in a pair of suede flats. After walking the Golden Globes red carpet in 2012, Shailene Woodley switched into the five-finger barefoot running shoes for the after-party, calling them her “favourite flats ever”. While explaining her habit of wearing sneakers on the red carpet, Kristen Stewart said that she does that so shecan sign more autographs. She said that she “isn’t keen on actresses who are more concerned about looking pretty in your heels, and so you’re walking slowly down the line. Put a pair of sneakers on.”