Kelvin Redvers, a Canadian filmmaker, was denied entry to the Cannes red carpet because he was wearing traditional moccasins to the red carpet. Although, the director had received an invitation to the screening of “Les Amandiers”, his entry was denied.
Cannes has strict rules around formal wear on the red carpet — black tie for men, evening gowns for women — with some exceptions for traditional formal wear, such as Scottish kilts or Indian saris.
Redvers thought his moccasins, paired with a tux, would qualify.
Kelvin Redvers said, “I grew up around my culture on the land and moccasins are a big deal. I understand that there are certain rules about dress code on the red carpet. So I thought if I wore a tuxedo, a bow tie, and a piece that showed I was Indigenous, it would be accepted.”
Adding more, he said, moccasins “are very much considered traditional and formal clothing” among many cultures in Canada.
Hard to process things like that: Kelvin Redvers
“It’s kind of hard to process things like that. I was almost, and even now when I think about it, (it) kind of gets me a little upset,” he said. Explaining to British Columbia, he then continued “I was disappointed. I was angry”. The brown moccasins were by Redvers’ sister. Furthermore, he said he was “excited” to wear them at a significant moment in his life. “Every time I wear them, it’s (the) best feeling, to be connected to family and Dene roots,” he said.
Security officers at the festival did not give him access to the red carpet. However, after removing the shoes, he was permitted to enter. Nonetheless, the director stated he spoke with top event coordinators within hours of the event who regretted the behavior. Later on, they offered him to don the shoes on the red carpet during David Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future” screening.