The Cannes Film Festival is known for its glamour and prestige, but it also has a long history of controversy. From boos and bans to spitting and theft, the festival has seen it all. Here, we rank the biggest scandals in Cannes history.
20. An amputee is told off for not wearing high heels (2015)
In 2015, a group of women were barred from the gala screening of Todd Haynes' Carol for not wearing high heels. The same happened to producer Valeria Richter, even though part of her left foot had been amputated. A year later, Julia Roberts walked the red carpet barefoot in protest.
19. Tarantino gives a heckler the finger (1994)
When Pulp Fiction won the Palme d'Or in 1994, a female voice called out, 'What a load of crap!' Quentin Tarantino responded by flipping her off.
18. Nobody takes a photo of Isabelle Adjani (1983)
Isabelle Adjani skipped a photocall, so photographers on the red carpet turned away from her in protest.
17. The Palme d'Or winner is booed (2011)
Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life was heavily booed at its first screening but still won the Palme d'Or.
16. Sophie Marceau goes off-script and off-stage (1999)
Sophie Marceau gave a rambling, ad-libbed speech while presenting the Palme d'Or, leading to boos from the audience until Kristin Scott Thomas intervened.
15. Daylight robbery (2013)
Thieves stole jewels worth millions from hotels in Cannes, including the biggest heist in French history: £89m from the Carlton International hotel.
14. Irréversible walkouts (2002)
Gaspar Noé's film caused 250 walkouts, with 20 people needing medical attention. Audience members called it 'scandalous' and 'pathetic.'
13. Kelly Rowland is hustled off the red carpet (2024)
Kelly Rowland confronted a staffer who rushed her, reportedly shouting, 'Don't talk to me like that, you're not my mother!'
12. A director spits on a journalist (2023)
Maïwenn spat on journalist Edwy Plenel in a restaurant, later fined €400.
11. Maurice Pialat gets booed while winning (1987)
When Maurice Pialat won the Palme d'Or for Under the Sun of Satan, he was booed and responded, 'If you don't like me, then I don't like you either.'
10. A four-month-old baby is banned (2019)
Director Greta Bellamacina was refused entry with her baby, who had to be treated as a delegate with a £260 pass.
9. Spike Lee tells Wim Wenders he's 'waiting for his ass' (1989)
Spike Lee was furious when Do the Right Thing lost the Palme d'Or to Sex, Lies and Videotape, later making threats against jury president Wim Wenders.
8. Two bare breasts and a couple of broken legs (1954)
Simone Silva topless during a photoshoot caused a melee, breaking two photographers' limbs. She was asked to leave the festival.
7. Sean Penn's sombre African drama is laughed off the screen (2016)
Sean Penn's The Last Face was laughed at during its screening, leading to a sombre press conference and a ban on early reviews.
6. Dead pigeons promote 24 Hour Party People (2001)
Fake dead pigeons used for promotion caused outrage when thrown around a restaurant, though the Coen brothers were amused.
5. The Brown Bunny (2003)
Vincent Gallo's film featuring unsimulated fellatio was called the worst in festival history by Roger Ebert. Gallo later apologized.
4. The 82-woman protest (2018)
Eighty-two women, including Cate Blanchett, protested the underrepresentation of female directors on the red carpet.
3. The jury president vomits over a film (1973)
Ingrid Bergman reportedly vomited during La Grande Bouffe, and a critic punched director Marco Ferreri.
2. Shutdown five days before curtain up (1968)
The festival was cancelled due to the May 1968 protests, with directors clinging to curtains to stop screenings.
1. Lars von Trier's solidarity with Hitler (2011)
Lars von Trier said he understood Hitler and was a Nazi, causing a massive scandal and leaving Kirsten Dunst mortified.
