Vivek Agnihotri, Nandita Das express sorrow over reduction of Cannes Film Festival to mere fashion event

While the festivities unfold, two Indian filmmakers have stepped forward to express their candid discontent, pointing out that the event has become excessively fixated on glitz and glamour, leaving the true essence of cinema somewhat obscured.

The first in line to make the comment was renowned actor-turned-director Nandita Das, whose Manto (2018) was screened at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in the “Un Certain Regard” section and has served twice on the jury of the film fest.

Sharing a couple of pictures from her previous Cannes appearances on Instagram, Nandita Das wrote: “Sadly missing Cannes this year.”

She added: “Sometimes people seem to forget that it is a festival of films and not of clothes! Considering I can’t show you the amazing films I watched or the conversations I have had or take you back in time when Manto premiered there. Here are a few images through the years in Cannes. And only the ones in Saris as there is a fair amount of chatter about the ‘celebrities who wore saris in Cannes’. Well, it is surely my go-to garment. Simple, elegant and Indian. Least fussy – easy to get in and get out of it!”

“Each of the images has an interesting story behind it but too long to share. So feel free to make up your own story from the photos you see. And guess the year they are from – 2005, 20013, 2016-2018.”

Sharing a snapshot of Bombay Times’ ShowBiz page featuring an array of celebrities such as Viola Davis, Elle Fanning, Diana Penty, Dua Lipa, Vijay Varma, Dolly Singh, and Niharika NM, accompanied by snippets detailing their sartorial choices, controversial filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri expressed his profound sorrow over what he perceived as the demise of the Cannes Film Festival.

“So sad to see the death of Cannes Film Festival. Most of these are not even actors or have any film showing at Cannes. Films are replaced with fashion. Actors with SM influencers. Film Journalism with… you know what… And FILMMAKERS… who cares about them? Om Shanti!”

Cannes is the world’s biggest film festival, first conceived in 1939 as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. This year’s festival began on May 16, with the French-language film Jeanne du Barry starring director Maiwenn and Johnny Depp. It will run till May 27, closing with Pixar’s animation Elemental.

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