Inside the protest that rocked Cannes Film Festival and altered a rising starlet's career forever

Daily Mail​

13-05-2025

In 1983, the Cannes Film Festival was rocked by a protest from a very unlikely source.
At just 27, French actress Isabelle Adjani had already won a César award for Best Actress for her role as Anna in the horror-fantasy film Possession (1981).
A year later, the star had been invited to the Cannes Film Festival in France following her nomination for Best Actress in One Deadly Summer.
However, having been thrust suddenly into the spotlight, Isabelle had become increasingly frustrated by the media's intrusion into her private life.
So the actress made the shocking decision to skip the scheduled press photoshoot at the event and hid her face from the media in a refusal to be photographed - souring relations in the process.
But tensions between the press and the actress came to a head when the star made her way to the film festival's red carpet.
In protest, the photographers then unilaterally staged a strike.
As Isabelle and the cast of One Deadly Summer ascended the iconic steps of the Palais, they were met with silence. No camera clicks. No flashes.
In a stunning display of frustration, photographers placed their cameras on the ground, refusing to document one of the festival's biggest stars.
Only a few pictures of the star emerged from the event, showing her in a yellow sweater with a velvet black blazer, black skirt, cat-eye glasses, and a yellow bow in her hair.
On another day of the festival, she was pictured in a black sweetheart neckline gown - also boasting a sweeping updo, a large white necklace and matching earrings.
The most iconic images of the 36th annual festival were those of the angered photographers.
Award shows are known for their constant flashes and shouting press who are itching to get the perfect shot.
However, this red carpet stood out for the opposite reason.
The actress went on to win the César award for Best Actress for One Deadly Summer at the event.
The actress went on to win the César award for Best Actress for One Deadly Summer at the event - but will forever be associated with the unlikely Cannes protest that almost derailed the event
Isabelle won three more César awards over the years and was nominated for another two.
Along with César awards, the star has also won a slew of awards including, a Cannes Film Festival award in 1981, and three awards in 1975 - a National Board of Review Award, a National Society of Film Critics Award, and a New York Film Critics Circle Award.
More recently, the actress has taken part in voice acting and singing.
She lent her voice to the character of Mother Gothel in the French version of Disney's animated film, Tangled.
In 2023, Isabelle released her second French pop album, Bande originale.
She is also set to play the role of Mona Gherardini in 2025 film, Natacha, presque hôtesse de l'air - but she will forever be associated with the unlikely Cannes protest that almost derailed the event.