Vogue UK tracks the glamour and spectacle of the Cannes Film Festival

Kering Honors Women in Film

Annapurna Pictures’ founder Megan Ellison received a ‘rapturous ovation’ at Kering’s lavish gala on Sunday evening in Cannes, writes Variety.

The producer and Jane Fonda were given the first Women in Motion award from Kering, introduced by Cannes Film Festival’s general delegate Thierry Fremaux, president Pierre Lescure and Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Here is text of Ellison’s speech:

“Anytime you put me in the same category as Jane Fonda, a real legend, it feels surreal, perhaps even not deserved. I just want to say that I humbly accept this beautiful award on behalf of my team as well as the amazing filmmakers I’ve had the privilege to work with.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been welcomed into this community, and that’s been the primary source of inspiration in my life; it has made me feel less alone in the world and for that I will always be grateful. I’m honored that I get to play a part and be able to contribute to support such artistic voices and there are so many that need to be heard, and am dedicated to continue this legacy of inspiring people through art.

“I don’t believe in very many things but art is definitely one of them, on the top of that list. Films and arts influence our culture in a way that many of us don’t understand or fully respect.

“Art doesn’t belong to the few but to the many and I believe that the perspective we’re putting out in the world should not come from such a small subset of people. It’s a disservice to us all.

“As Kurt Vonnegut said, ‘The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable,’ and that’s what I believe and that’s what I want to be a part of.”

Salma Hayek Condems Sexism in Film Industry

Actor Salma Hayek accused Hollywood of ‘incredible ignorance’ about women at the UN Women’s panel at the Cannes Film Festival. The Telegraph writes that Hayek delivered ‘an excoriating verdict on the film industry, which she claims ignores and misunderstands the tastes of women, and fails to recognise their talents on screen.’

Hayek, who is married to Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault, spared no words in condemning sexism in Hollywood and the film industry generally.

1. Hayek disclosed that not only are male stars paid significantly more then women in films, but male actors are ‘regularly permitted to veto actresses lined up to appear in their films’.

2. Hayek said that she had accepted roles in films ‘thanks to witty, intelligent lines for her character, only to find them dumbed down when she got on set, so as not to outshine the leading man.

3. Women movie-goers are being short-changed because men fail to understand what women want in film.

4. ‘The only kind of film where women make more money than men is porno. It’s not funny.’

Hayek concluded her remarks saying ‘Cinema undermines women’s intelligence. It’s been doing it for some time now. They don’t see us as a powerful economic force, which is really incredible ignorance.’

The panel was organized by Variety magazine and UN Women, which runs the He For She equality campaign headed by actor Emma Watson.