Today we are going to talk about the Cannes festival but I don’t want to talk about outfits or celebrities. I want to dwell on the act of protest that took place during one of the most important film festivals in the world.
An activist throws herself on the notorious red carpet to protest. The woman is naked, she has the colours of the Ukraine flag on her body with a writing ‘STOP RAPING US’ and red spots, as if it was blood.
We are on the 95th day of war, almost 100… Scary. The first complaints arrived on March 4th. Let’s remember what day it’s March 8th…
Stories of women raped in front of their children, forced to watch their mothers suffering. Stories of women who after all the atrocities suffered committed suicide, unable to live with trauma. Stories of women being raped after they saw their partner die. Stories of women and girls being tortured for days until their bodies can’t take it anymore. Stories of women who can count on no one, who are invisible. But this it’s not happening only in Ukraine. In Poland and Romania, we have stories of women being forced to give their bodies in exchange for food and lodging.
As if the violence that brings war were not enough.
Unfortunately, since the war exists, for men, the woman body is a trophy, a victory, a symbol of power against the enemy. This is a story that has always been repeated, again and again, in Syria, in Bosnia, in Nigeria, in Rwanda and today in Ukraine. How many more times will have to happen to realise that all this is wrong?
Two realities that meet and oppose. War, famine, misery and violence on a red carpet that flaunts luxury, fame, celebrity and well-being. Seeing these two different parts of the world meeting is agony. Honestly, also writing this article is agony.
We are at day 95. And we are still wondering when all these atrocities will end.
