Demonstrators from the French feminist group 'La Barbe' hold signs in protest on the red carpet at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 20, 2012. The group protested against what they feel is a lack of representation of female filmmakers at the festival. Signs read from left to right, Marvelous, Thank You, Splendid, Incredible, The Beard. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
CANNES, France — A French feminist group upset about the lack of female directors at this year’s Cannes Film Festival is protesting on the red carpet.
Five women from La Barbe stood wearing fake beards in the torrential rain on Sunday at the premiere of Michael Haneke’s “Amor.”
None of the 22 films competing for the Palme D’Or prize at the festival were directed by women.
La Barbe (which means The Beard) previously had a letter complaining about the male-dominated festival line-up published in Le Monde and The Guardian newspapers.
The protesters wore different colored beards and stood in a line holding signs saying, “Marveilleux,” ”Merci!!!” ”Splendide,” ”Incredible!” and “Le Barbe.”
The festival’s artistic director, Thierry Fremaux, has already defended the woman-free line-up, saying he does not pick movies based on who has made them.