Natalie Portman Addresses ‘Expectations’ At Cannes As Women Buck Unspoken Dress Code

Natalie Portman tackles the unspoken rules women face in society – and at one event in particular.

On Saturday, the Oscar winner spoke about her new film May December at the Cannes Film Festival, noting that the film’s theme of “performing femininity” was relevant to the French event itself.

“The portrayal of femininity is … something I’m definitely very curious about,” she said at a press conference for the film. “The different ways we as women are expected to behave – even at this festival – compared to men. How we should look, how we should act.

She added: “Expectations are different for you all the time and that affects how you behave. Whether you accept it, or reject it, or do something in between, you are definitely defined by the social constraints placed on you.”

According to Portman, “the different roles we play in different environments” was of particular interest to director Todd Haynes, whose 2015 film Carol similarly touched on this idea.

Ironically, many women were reportedly turned away from the Cannes premiere of Carol that year because they were not wearing high heels. Filmmaker Asif Kapadia, for example, said this his wife was briefly rejected.

“I think everyone should wear flats, to be honest,” actor Emily Blunt said in response to the news at the time, calling it “very disappointing.”

In the years since “Carol” premiered, some festival-goers have begun to reject the event’s apparent expectations for women. Julia Roberts walked the red carpet in Cannes barefoot in 2016, while Kristen Stewart publicly ditched Christian Louboutin shoes in 2018.

Portman made her comment this weekend when Cate Blanchett appeared at the festival barefoot and Jennifer Lawrence walked the red carpet in flip flops.

Speaking alongside Portman, May December co-star Julianne Moore offered her own thoughts on the gender divide.

“Women are not a minority group. We are 50% of the world’s population. So it’s important to be treated as such,” Moore said.