Cannes Film Festival 2015 is drawing flak after it was accused of turning away women from red carpet screening for not wearing high heels.
According to reports from Screen Daily, the matter came to light when a large group of women were denied entry at the screening of "Carol" since they were wearing flat shoes and not high heels. The group of women were reportedly in their 50s and some were even suffering from medical conditions.
While the festival organisers denied to comment on the matter, it is confirmed that it is obligatory for all women to wear high heels to red carpet events. Since Cannes's red carpet screenings are by invitation only, it is hard to find any published guideline on the dress code though it is understood that men are required to wear black tie with black shoes while women must be elegantly dressed with smart footwear.
Among other women, Danish film producer Valeria Richter was also stopped several times on her way to Cannes screening because she was not wearing heels. Since the producer had a part of her left foot amputed and a visible evidence that she will not be able to walk in heels, she was eventually let in but several of her colleagues, who were in flat shoes, were denied entry and were told to buy proper shoes.
Asif Kapadia, whose documentary, "Amy," premiered in Cannes last weekend, disclosed in a tweet that his wife was also stopped on the red carpet but was "eventually let in" after much persuasion.
Meanwhile, British actress Emily Blunt is facing criticism for being too diplomatic in the matter. The actress, whose film "Sciario" debuted in Cannes on Tuesday, earlier voiced out her opposition of the fest's fashion policing saying that everyone should wear flats, but was spotted in high heels while at the red carpet screening of her film, BBC reported.