CULTURE

A Celebration of Celebrities Taking Banned Selfies at Cannes


Magnum Photocall - The 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival
Gisela Schober

Rivaling a professional basketball court in size, the red carpet leading up to the Théâtre Lumière at the Cannes Film Festival is perhaps one of the most famed and prestigious in the world. A certain French expectation of glamour is expected, and keeping with the protocol the festival’s general delegate Thierry Fremaux announced this year that the act of the selfie would be banned. In an interview, Fremaux called selfies “ridiculous and grotesque,” which is sort of extreme language. Is anything Nicole Kidman does really “ridiculous and grotesque” (unless, of course, she’s asked to do on film by a Cannes-worthy director)? Indeed, some of the most famous and cultured people on earth have snapped a selfie on the carpet, including Steven Spielberg, Julianne Moore and James McAvoy. Indeed, the point of the red carpet is for notables to put themselves on display to be photographed by hundreds of eager snappers. Isn’t it a little ridiculous and grotesque, not to mention a stripping of personal agency, to ban people from taking a photo of themselves. Even stars sometimes want to make sure their best angles are being capture. Here, a celebration of celebrities taking selfies at Cannes. You can decided for yourself if it’s truly ridiculous and grotesque.

1
ANTONIN THUILLIER

Emily Ratajkowski and fashion designer Peter Dundas pose for selfies as they arrive on May 18, 2017 at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

2
ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Amber Valletta takes selfies as she arrives on May 18, 2017 at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

3
Tristan Fewings

Actors Nicole Kidman and Mamadou Doumbia take a selfie as they attend the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2017 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

4
Traverso/L’Oreal

Actors Zoe Saldana, Julianne Moore and Liya Kebede take a selfie at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2014 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

5
VALERY HACHE

Actress Lea Seydoux poses for a selfie during the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 17, 2014. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

6
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

James McAvoy takes a selfie on the red carpet at the 67th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2014. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

7
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham get their angles correct for a joint selfie at the 67 Festival du film de Cannes. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

8
ANTONIN THUILLIER

Pamela Anderson poses for selfies as she arrives on May 20, 2017 at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

9
BERTRAND LANGLOIS

Paris Hilton and French writer and publisher Frederic Beigbeder take a selfie at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southeastern France, on May 20, 2015. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

10
Ian Gavan

Director Gaspar Noe and Karl Glusman pose for a selfie as they attend the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2015 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

11
Tristan Fewings

Doutzen Kroes and Eva Longoria take a selfie as they attend the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

12
Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho

Steven Spielberg taking selfies at the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2016 in Cannes. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

13
ANTONIN THUILLIER

Alessandra Ambrosio takes a selfie as she arrives on May 20, 2016 at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

14
SC Pool – Corbis

Jessica Chastain poses for selfies with fans as she attends the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2017 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

15
Gisela Schober

Cara Delevigne, Jeremy Scott take a selfie during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Magnum Beach on May 18, 2017 in Cannes, France. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.