65th Cannes Film Festival kicks off today amidst sexism controversy

Any of you with a Sight and Sound magazine subscription who are huge fans of the film world will already know that one of the biggest events in the film industry – the Cannes Film Festival – is kicking off today, celebrating its 65th year.

The festival will open with the showing of Wes Anderson’s film Moonrise Kingdom which is one the 22 films competing for the big prize, the Palme d’Or. The film stars Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton – if the calibre of the cast is anything to go on, we’re sure the film will do well.

However, amidst the excitement, some have criticised the award organisers for being sexist, after none of the 22 selected films are directed by a female. In fact, the award has only been won by a female director once – Jane Campion for The Piano back in 1993.

The sex row began when a group of female filmmakers wrote an open letter that was published in French newspaper Le Monde, in which they said, "Men love their women to have depth, but only when it comes to their cleavages. All 22 films in the official selection were written, happy coincidence, by 22 men."

But festival director Thierry Fremaux has said that the judges would "never select a film that doesn't deserve it just because it is directed by a woman".

Either way, the Cannes Film Festival looks set to have another great year and we can’t wait for the celeb-spotting to begin, with films from the likes of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart – whose films will be in competition – Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Sacha Baron Cohen.

If you want to keep up-to-date with all of the latest film news, subscribe and save on a Sight and Sound magazine subscription today.

Posted by Tori Gibson.