The Cannes Film Festival has long been a showcase for cinema’s most glamorous and prestigious moments. Yet, over the years, its famed red carpet at the Palais de Festival has also seen some truly bizarre and unforgettable events, from unexpected dance breaks to over-the-top publicity stunts.
In 2009, Quentin Tarantino turned the premiere of Inglourious Basterds into a mini-dance party. Alongside actress Mélanie Laurent, the director spontaneously grooved to the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, much to the delight of the crowd. Tarantino’s impromptu dancing has become something of a trademark, as he was back at it in 2014, this time with Uma Thurman. Together, they twirled and swayed during the premiere of Clouds of Sils Maria and later brought the same energy to the festival’s closing ceremony.
The Cannes red carpet has also been a stage for extravagant promotional stunts. In 2014, a dragon wearing a red bowtie accompanied Cate Blanchett for the premiere of How to Train Your Dragon 2. That same year, the cast of The Expendables 3 arrived in dramatic fashion aboard a tank. For Puss in Boots, Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas took things in a whimsical direction by stepping into a giant pair of shoes, while attendees at the Madagascar 3 screening were met with rainbow wigs worn by photographers. Fans of The Great Gatsby were treated to a lively 1920s-style dance routine, further adding to the spectacle.
No discussion of Cannes’ quirks would be complete without mentioning Russian journalist Elena Lenina, who has consistently turned heads with her unconventional fashion choices. Over the years, she has sported a Marge Simpson-inspired beehive, a hair-made crown, and even what appeared to be a cake on her head. By 2021, her hairstyles had grown even more elaborate, including an outfit featuring sparkling cinnamon roll-like embellishments.
Not all memorable Cannes moments have been lighthearted. In 2011, Danish director Lars von Trier caused an uproar during a press conference for Melancholia when he made inappropriate remarks referencing Nazis. The comments visibly unsettled lead actress Kirsten Dunst and led to von Trier being declared “persona non grata” by the festival board. While he later attempted to make light of the controversy by wearing a self-deprecating t-shirt at the Berlinale, the incident remains one of Cannes’ most controversial moments.
Even the festival’s strict dress code has sparked headlines. In 2015, several attendees were reportedly turned away for not wearing high heels on the red carpet. This sparked backlash, with actress Emily Blunt calling the policy disappointing, though she ultimately conformed by wearing stilettos to her film’s premiere.
With such a colorful history of unexpected moments, the Cannes Film Festival is sure to deliver more surprises in its 78th year. As the 2025 edition kicks off on May 13th, the world will once again turn its attention to the French Riviera to witness not just cinematic brilliance, but also the unexpected antics that make Cannes one of the most entertaining events in the film industry.
