“ The expectations are different on you all the clock time , and it affects how you comport — whether you ’re buy into it , whether you ’re turn down it , or whether you ’re doing something in between . ”
Natalie Portmanhas called out the double standards women face atCannes Film Festival.
Natalie’s new movieMay December, which was directed by Todd Haynes, premiered at the prestigious annual event on May 20.
In the film,Natalieportrays an actress named Elizabeth Berry who is researching Gracie (Julianne Moore), a woman who was previously at the center of tabloid scandal after having an affair with — and latermarrying— a 13-year-old. The film earned an impressive8-minute standing ovationfrom critics and viewers at Cannes.
Speaking out about the project during apress conferenceon May 20, Natalie discussed how the movie is about “the different roles we play in different environments.”
“The whole film is so much about performance and the different roles we play in different environments, for different people, for ourselves,” she told reporters.
“Of course, performing femininity is, I think, a recurring theme in Todd’s films as well, and something I’m definitely very curious about and interested in,” she added.
Natalie went on to discuss how this theme of “performing femininity” was also prevalent in real life at Cannes, calling out the “different ways” that women are “expected to behave” and “supposed to look” at the festival.
“Even here — the different ways we as women are expected to behave at this festival even compared to men,” she said.
“How we’re supposed to look, how we’re supposed to carry ourselves,” she explained.
“The expectations are different on you all the time, and it affects how you behave — whether you’re buying into it, whether you’re rejecting it, or whether you’re doing something in between,” she added. “You’re definitely defined by the social structures upon you.”
“Unfortunately it’s true,” one personwrote, while someone elseagreedthat “she’s right.”
And Natalie’s remarks were all the more interesting in light of the strict rules around women’s clothing at Cannes — something that has been anongoing topic of discussionfor years.
It’s widelyreportedthat the organizers of Cannes insist that the women in attendance wear heels at all the events.
The unspoken rule has been defied by celebrities time and again over the years. In 2018,Kristen Stewartprotested bytaking off her Christian Louboutin heelswhile she was halfway down the red carpet. Just a couple of years prior, in 2016,Julia Robertshad done the same thing.
And this year, several celebrities have protested the rule once more.Cate Blanchettarrivedbarefoot, Isabelle Huppert wore what Vogue have described as“naked shoes,”and, perhaps most notably,Jennifer Lawrencewalked the red carpet in a pair of flip flops.
But, on the other hand, many fans praised Jen for opting for “comfort” over style and making a statement.
“What a Queen. Comfort is key!!” someone tweeted.
What a Queen . Comfort is key!!https://t.co/3Y8Optu5su
“she so real for that,” said another user.
she so tangible for thathttps://t.co/iiOadVvmhE
