“On the red carpet, the trivial aspect and the slowing down provoked by the disorder which these selfies create tarnishes the quality of [the red carpet experience] and of the festival as a whole,” said Fremaux.
Fremaux is very concerned with the dignity of his festival, and also its glamour and mystique. It was additionally announced that early morning press screenings of films before their official premieres are now over; critics must simultaneously watch from the Debussy theater as the stars sit in the main auditorium. This is specifically to “boost the prestige and weight of gala premieres.”
You know what makes me care about Cannes premieres? FOMO. And nothing administers FOMO like seeing a selfie of Julianne Moore in her glam best getting photobombed by Chrissy Teigen, or something.
The man announced a “limitation” on the number of selfies people could take on the carpet in 2015, according to the Guardian, and said some pretty questionable shit at the time:
Speaking before this year’s press conference to reveal the first round of premieres, Frémaux said: “We are waging a campaign to slow down the contemporary practice of selfies on the red carpet and the steps. Beyond what we think, it’s a practice that’s often extremely ridiculous and grotesque.”
Added incoming festival president, Pierre Lescure added: “It’s always the ugliest picture of you anyway.” Neither man revealed details of how the new ruling will be enforced, but they did say that police would not be present. They also conceded that a ban would not be possible – or even desirable.
What a difference three years makes. Can’t wait to see the rogue selfies this year.
