French cinema tried to hide its violence against women. At Cannes, we’re calling it out

I took to the red carpet alongside other activists to highlight sexual violence. Now women of colour need a bigger place in the movement

French actress and screenwriter Judith Godreche, centre, French actress Tess Barthelemy, second right, and French journalist Rokhaya Diallo, right, and the cast of short film Moi Aussi (Me Too), gesture as they attend the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Red Carpet during the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture: PA Wire

The 77th Cannes film festival reaches its climax on Saturday when all eyes will be on the Croisette, as the winners of the prestigious Palme d’Or are announced. Hollywood greats such as Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Greta Gerwig have been in town, but this year, I found myself on the red carpet, hand in hand with some of the most courageous women in the business.

Behind the facade of movie-star glamour and fashionable edge, there are burning issues that have been agitating the grande famille du cinéma in France for years — but have been kept out of sight. The Cannes festival, as a symbol of the French film establishment, can no longer shy away from them.