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82 women walk the red carpet in Cannes film fest protest

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Eighty-two women climbed the steps of the Palais des Festivals at the Cannes Film Festival in an unprecedented red carpet protest to press for improved gender equality in the film industry.

The number of stars, filmmakers and film industry professionals ascending the steps represented the number of female filmmakers who have been selected to compete at Cannes during the festival’s seven-decade history.

In contrast to their 82, 1,866 films directed by men have been picked for the prestigious festival lineup.

Organizers said the event was orchestrated by the Time’s Up movement and the French movement known as 5020×2020 to show “how hard it is still to climb the social and professional ladder” for women.

It brought an array of film industry professionals to the Cannes red carpet, including actresses Salma Hayek and Jane Fonda, “Wonder Woman” filmmaker Patty Jenkins and French director Agnes Varda, a recipient of an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes.

Also joining were the five female members of this year’s Cannes jury: Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart, Ava DuVernay, Lea Seydoux and Burundian singer Khadja Nin. Blanchett read a statement atop the Palais steps in English; Varda read it in French.

“Women are not a minority in the world, yet the current state of the industry says otherwise,” Blanchett said. “We stand together on these steps today as a symbol of our determination to change and progress.”

“The stairs of our industry must be accessible to all,” she concluded. “Let’s climb.”

The protest was held ahead of the premiere of French filmmaker Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun,” which is about a Kurdish battalion of women soldiers. Husson is one of three female filmmakers out of the 21 movies in competition for the Palme d’Or this year.

The other two — Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” and Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy as Lazzaro” — are to premiere next week.

Cannes has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years over the number of female directors selected into its main slate, considered one of the most esteemed achievements in cinema. Jane Campion is the only female filmmaker to ever win the Palme.

The festival supported Saturday’s protest. Festival director Thierry Fremaux earlier this week hailed Saturday’s event as a way for women “to affirm their presence.”

Fremaux has repeatedly insisted that the festival chooses its films purely based on quality. But he’s also signaled that the festival is reanalyzing its procedures and making its selection committees gender-balanced.

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UNLEASHING THE HEAVYWEIGHT: Jesse Is Heavyweight’s Rise to Fame

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From Dallas Streets to Global Superstardom

Meet Jesse Is Heavyweight, the visionary entrepreneur, recording artist, songwriter, fashion designer, and founder of Heavyweight Unlimited, a multifaceted conglomerate that’s taking the music and fashion worlds by storm.

A Journey of Passion, Perseverance, and Creativity

Born and raised in the vibrant city of Dallas, Texas, Jesse’s journey to success was not without its challenges. Growing up in the notorious South Oak Cliff neighborhood, Jesse was exposed to the harsh realities of urban life. However, instead of letting his circumstances define him, Jesse used them as fuel to drive his passion for music and creativity.

Heavyweight Unlimited: A Powerhouse of Creative Expression

Heavyweight Unlimited is more than just a company – it’s a platform for creative expression and innovation. With a diverse portfolio that includes a music label, fashion brand, graphic design firm, marketing agency, and mobile app company, Heavyweight Unlimited is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the music and fashion industries.

TOIDI: Luxury Fashion Redefined

One of the crown jewels of Heavyweight Unlimited is TOIDI, a luxury sneaker and clothing brand that’s taking the fashion world by storm. With high-end products that sell for upwards of $8,000 and $50,000, TOIDI is redefining the concept of luxury fashion.

Jesse Is Heavyweight: The Musical Visionary

As a recording artist and songwriter, Jesse Is Heavyweight is using his music as a platform to express himself and connect with others. With a unique sound that blends hip-hop, R&B, and rock influences, Jesse’s music is a reflection of his creativity and passion.

What’s Next for Jesse Is Heavyweight and Heavyweight Unlimited?

As Jesse Is Heavyweight continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, fans can expect more exciting projects and collaborations from Heavyweight Unlimited. From new music releases to fashion launches, Jesse’s vision for Heavyweight Unlimited is set to revolutionize the music and fashion industries. Stay tuned for what’s next from this visionary entrepreneur.

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