Cannes: Cate Blanchett-Led Women's March, Mahira Khan to make debut on red carpet
82 stars and executives took to the steps of the Palais to symbolize the number of women who have been featured in the festival's competition over its 71-year history.
Cannes film festival jury president Cate Blanchett led a women's march up the steps of the Palais in Cannes Saturday night in what turned out to be a powerful moment to promote gender equality in the film industry.
The women were standing in solidarity and silence to call attention to the low number of women who have been selected in the festival's official competition over the years.
In total, 82 women participated in the event, including Blanchett, fellow jury members Kristen Stewart and Ava DuVernay, Lea Seydoux, Marion Cotillard, Salma Hayek, Leila Bekhti, Sofia Bouterra, Patty Jenkins and Agnes Varda, the latter of whom joined Blanchett to deliver remarks at the top of the stairs. Blanchett and Varda read out a statement, calling out the very few women that have ever been in competition.
"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 1688 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 Agnès 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."
The number of women was significant: In the 71-year history of the Cannes Film Festival, 82 films directed by women have been featured in the main competition compared with 1,645 films by male helmers. Also significant: The showing preceded the gala premiere for the only female-directed film in competition this year, Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun,” a drama about a Kurdish female fighter.
Mahira Khan in Cannes
Mahira Khan has finally arrived in Cannes and is prepping to make her debut on the red carpet on May 14.
Mahira will be representing L’Oreal hair care as their official spokesperson. The actor has not revealed what she will be wearing on the red carpet, but given her previous fashion choices, we have our expectations high here.
Courtesy to Hollywood Reporter and Pakistani media
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