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Amputee the latest to claim she was turned away from Cannes for not wearing heels

Julianne Moore at the 'Mad Max: Fury Road' premiere (Getty Images0
Julianne Moore at the 'Mad Max: Fury Road' premiere (Getty Images0

Once small step in heels...one giant step backwards for equality?

The Cannes Film Festival is already under fire for reportedly turning away women who aren’t wearing high heels from films. And now, another report has surfaced that makes the archaic wardrobe requirement seem even worse.

A Danish film producer and scriptwriter, who has her big toe and part of her left foot amputated, told the Telegraph she was stopped multiple time by festival officials at the “Sea of Trees” premiere last week.

"It is ridiculous," says Valeria Richter, who has been coming to the festival since 1998. "We are all working women who walk up and down the streets of Cannes all day doing business. They cannot force us to wear heels. We put on the dress and make an effort to be formal and festive, but to demand heels is not right."

Richter added that a colleague of hers who has metal in her foot was also turned away, as was a friend wearing sandals with a small heel.

Richter also told BBC that the incident felt “very silly.”

This is just the latest revelation in the high heels on the red carpet saga – an especially awkward-timed debacle as this year’s festival has been proclaimed the year of “la femme” in Cannes.

Major actresses, actors and producers have expressed their outrage over the requirement to wear heels.

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve joked that him and Benicio Del Toro would wear heels for their premiere in protest – although that didn’t come to fruition.

British actress Emily Blunt, who appears alongside Benicio Del Tori in “Siciro” has said the policy is “very disappointing” and told reporters she didn’t believe there could be such a rule in 2015.

“You kind of thought there were waves of people realizing that women are just as fascinating and interesting to watch, and just as bankable as men,” she said.

"Everyone should wear flats, to be honest," said Blunt, wearing heels, at the press conference for “Sicaro.” "We shouldn't wear high heels anyway. I prefer wearing Converse sneakers.

And really, it’s not like Converse are the only option.

Last week, Footwear News fashion director Mosha Lundstrom even advised a friend on which fashionable flats to wear to Cannes, making a few stunning suggestions from luxury staples like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Givenchy.

There are plenty of gorgeous flat shoes that look just as glamorous as heels. Audrey Hepburn notoriously sported classic ballet flats, while more modern day starlets also swear by flats.

Meanwhile, while the controversy continues to swirl, the festival denies that high heels are part of the official dress code and staff has reportedly been reminded that flat-wearing guests should be allowed into all screenings.