Honoring the Female Trailblazers of Cannes
We're revisiting the women who made strides for inclusion at one of the industry's most prestigious film festivals.
The entertainment industry has a lot of work to do when it comes to inclusion, but that doesn't mean we can't honor the women who've already made great strides. As the 2017 Cannes Film Festival continues, we look back on those who made Cannes their stage for change, with insight from the experts at Getty Images.
Brigitte Bardot
“Brigitte Bardot became something of a sensation at the Cannes Film Festival back in 1953, and this photo from deep in our archive perfectly captures the allure that helped her rise to superstardom. Back then, Cannes was a much more informal affair and access to celebrity was very different. The studios wanted the stars to be seen out and about and against backdrop of the beautiful Riviera, so we would see less of the red carpet and more of the beach." —Bob Ahern, Getty Images Director of Archive
Dolores del Río
“Mexican actress Dolores del Río was the first female member of the Cannes Film Festival jury back in 1957, when this photo was taken. Since then, we’ve seen something of greater gender parity and this year, a record four women sit on the jury.” —BA
Claudia Cardinale
“To mark the 70th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival, the organizers created a stunning poster featuring this image of legendary Italian actress Claudia Cardinale dancing on a roof terrace in Rome in 1959. I love how the photographer captured her sheer exuberance in this carefree moment.” —BA
Penelope Cruz
“This photo [is] from the 59th Cannes Film Festival in 2006, a monumental moment for actress Penelope Cruz, who won best actress for her work in Volver alongside five of her female co-stars. Cruz ties a romantic bygone era of cinema and legendary stars such as Sophia Loren with a more empowered age for women in cinema. In many ways, she was a long way ahead of the curve in anticipating a cultural landscape where women increasingly take on tough, tenacious roles which challenge stereotypes” —Ken Mainardis, Getty Images VP of Entertainment
Jessica Chastain
“Actress Jessica Chastain is serving on the 2017 jury this year at the Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images has been shooting this event for over 20 years, and captured Jessica’s big debut for Tree of Life [in 2011]. This particular photo was taken in 2014 when she attended for the premiere of Foxcatcher. She has such grace that there is always an electricity amongst the photographers when she appears at Cannes photo calls or on the red carpet. Her first appearance this year was no different.’” —KM
Emily Blunt
“More and more women in film are fighting to be recognized not for only the way they look, but for their accomplishments and craft. Actress Emily Blunt led protests at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, which she attended for the film Sicario, after some women were turned away at screenings for not wearing heels. She not only talked the talk, but walked the walk.” —Pam Grossman, Getty Images Director of Visual Trends
Jaclyn Jose
“In 2016, Jaclyn Jose was the first Filipino to win best actress at the Cannes Film Festival. In an industry that too often lacks diverse leads, it’s important that talent from different cultures and backgrounds is appreciated and recognized. Female role models like Jaclyn help inspire a new generation of women, and show that all stories are worthy of being told.” —PG
Helen Mirren
“Helen Mirren is a force. Rather than succumbing to Hollywood stereotypes she proves life experience and a strong female perspective makes for great storytelling, thanks to roles such as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen and Colonel Katherine Powell in Eye in the Sky. She is one of only four women to win best actress twice at the Cannes Film Festival, and she’s as badass off camera as she is on, calling out the media and film industry on double standards, sexism and body shaming. In this shot she’s arriving to at the premiere of her 2016 film The Unknown Girl (La Fille Inconnue). —PG
Dame Jane Campion
“Dame Jane Campion was the first and only woman to date to have won the famed Palme d’Or of the Cannes Film Festival. Having role models and images of accomplished and talented women in Hollywood like Jane is important for a younger generation to see. She’s a great champion of female protagonists, and a creative heroine in her own right.” —PG
