Cannes Film Festival Sparks Outrage After Allegedly Airbrushing This Iconic Picture
Cannes Film Festival has been accused of airbrushing an image of renowned Italian actress Claudia Cardinale on the event's poster.
The striking archive photo shows Cardinale dancing barefoot on a roof terrace in Rome in1959, but organisers of the annual event have caused controversy for seemingly slimming down the image.
The Official Poster of the 70th Festival is here! #Cannes2017 pic.twitter.com/fdIyzRK7AR
- Cannes Film Coverage (@CannesCoverage) March 30, 2017
Part of the actress's waist and thigh appear to have been retouched, with Telerama magazine saying (via the BBC): "While the poster is magnificent, the photograph has clearly and deplorably been airbrushed to thin the actress's thighs.
Liberation newspaper was also critical of the Cannes poster, claiming: "Claudia Cardinale dropped a dress size in one swirl."
There was an outraged reaction on Twitter too.
The real #ClaudiaCardinale in all her mediterranean glory. No retouching. @Festival_Cannes https://t.co/9Zt0U0SlUW
- Federica Pisanu (@fe_pisanu) March 29, 2017
Do better, person in charge of making Cannes posters. https://t.co/eMMsK2tNd1
- mehera bonner (@meherbear) March 30, 2017
Why the need to alter Claudia Cardinale's body so dramatically for #Cannes2017 official poster? pic.twitter.com/jvMEfejZUc
- Anna Rose Holmer (@BARFH) March 29, 2017
Director of Cannes Thierry Fremaux has defended the poster, insisting it had been "very well received" (via AFP).
Meanwhile Cardinale - who starred in classic 60s and 70s movies including Frederico Fellini's 8 1/2 and The Leopard with Burt Lancaster - released a statement to share her delight at being picked for the poster.
"I am honoured and proud to be flying the flag for the 70th Festival de Cannes and delighted with this choice of photo.
"It's the image I myself have of the festival, of an event that illuminates everything around.
"That dance on the rooftops of Rome... reminds me of my origins, and of a time when I never dreamed of climbing the steps of the world's most famous cinema hall."
The Cannes Film Festival - which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year - will run from 17 to 28 May.
Pedro Almodóvar has been selected as the festival's President of the Jury, while Monica Bellucci will open and close the event's ceremonies.
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