An infusion of social media influencers and reality TV stars has put the Cannes Film Festival, long hailed as a bulwark of Hollywood reputation, at the focus of debate.
The elite of the film business is concerned that the festival’s unique appeal is being lost as a result of this change.
Hollywood luminaries like Demi Moore, Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, Cate Blanchett, and Sienna Miller graced the red carpet at this year’s festival.
But a host of influencers and reality TV stars joined them, including presenter Rochelle Humes and stars of Love Island Molly-Mae Hague, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, and Zara McDermott.
Models like Bella Hadid, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni, and others made a big impression and raised questions about whether social media and fashion are taking precedence over the festival’s film program.
The Sun claims that industry insiders are unhappy about the modification.
An insider said, “Cannes has turned into a circus. Looking one way reveals Ekin-Su from Love Island; looking the other way reveals Molly-Mae. Not that these celebrities aren’t welcomed in Cannes; it’s just that the festival no longer has the same allure as it once had. There is an influencer taking pictures everywhere you look. There is no longer anything exclusive in Cannes—everything is available.”
The turmoil at afterparties that are usually exclusive was also mentioned by the source.
Chaos, not class, typified Campari. Although it was advertised as an exclusive party held in a beach suite, hundreds of wrist bracelets were really distributed. The main strip, Boulevard de la Croisette, was crowded with people rushing in. The source said, “When someone has their selfie stick out, there’s no glamour.”
Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Costner was apparently ensnared in a crush of influencers outside his hotel, a far cry from the reverence that Hollywood stars always inspired.
Previously, people would be in awe of him and other Hollywood stars. These days, “guests” are more concerned about getting likes. This is how Cannes has descended to, and it’s quite sad,” the person continued.
In an interview with The Quint, director Shaunak Sen, whose movie All That Breathes won the Golden Eye Award in 2022, expressed his worries.
I don’t hold any resentment or problems whatsoever with anyone who goes there, influencers or content producers alike. The most important thing is to avoid drawing attention away from the film, which is the festival’s major attraction. Sen stated, “We should honor those who create motion pictures.
Influencers like Molly-Mae Hague and reality TV stars like Evelyn Ellis and Kimberley continue to attract attention by mixing with members of high society and acting royalty on the red carpet, even in the face of scandal.
It is unclear how the Cannes Film Festival will balance its customary emphasis on cinema and the rising power of social media stars as it struggles to uphold its esteemed image.
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