Women can't wear sheer dresses, but horrible men can be centre stage at Cannes.

The thing about the Cannes Film Festival is that it seems like this grand, extravagant affair.

Whether it's Bella Hadid tossing roses from a balcony or Jennifer Lawrence serving glamorous red carpet looks, the whole event appears to be a lovely two-week party.

It's got big-name stars, cheeky press conferences, a general sense of French sophistication — all while being at the cutting edge of cinema.

But lurking right around the corner from the esteemed event is an obsession with some of the worst men Hollywood has on offer. And while the Cannes Film Festival adorns alleged abusers with accolades, it also places a determined focus on policing women's bodies through their wardrobes.

A long-standing 'unofficial rule' at the Cannes Film Festival has seen women forced to wear stiletto heels — a rule Kristen Stewart broke in 2018 by famously ripping off her pumps and walking barefoot down the carpet. In 2025, that rule extends beyond footwear to the clothes these women select.

This year, the festival announced that there would be no more 'naked gowns' and no more voluminous gowns or long trains. The length and volume of dresses is one thing — I understand the movie theatre seats are only so big and enormous gowns might add a complex layer of fabric to a seating plan equation.

However, the sheer dresses? Cannes is a place where some of the most avant-garde, sexy movies of our day have premiered to lengthy standing ovations. It's a sexy time.

But they claim this latest fashion rule is a bid to return some class to Cannes. They cited "decency" as the reason.

Hey, it's your event, you can make all the rules you like. But it seems a little strange to suggest the height of classlessness would be a sheer gown… when the actual height of it is having the gall to throw a celebration for Shia LaBeouf.

To invite James Franco to your event.

To hand Kevin Spacey a lifetime achievement award. 

This event is looking to bring a little decorum back in style. How about we start with the guest list? 

Oh, look who is back. Image: Getty.

For the past three years — and then some — the Cannes Film Festival has been accused of celebrating alleged abusers. 

In 2023, French actress Adèle Haenel accused Cannes of defending "rapist chiefs". Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux rejected her criticisms, per AP, and said her claim was "obviously false". 

Her comments came hot on the heels of France's own 'Me Too' movement. In particular, Cannes was called out for allowing men like Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Johnny Depp and Gérard Depardieu to be honoured at their festival despite allegations of abuse or sexual assault.

In 2025, Depardieu didn't attend. Why? He was in court the day the festival kicked off, where he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. It's a landmark case that will continue to change the face of Me Too in France. 

But while there have been major shifts in the French film industry, it's not evident at this event.

This week, Shia LaBeouf was given space to premiere his documentary called Slauson Rec — which is essentially a self-portrait of his own deeply concerning behaviour. 

The doco chronicles LaBeouf's experimental theatre group — which he launched in 2018 — and the increasingly volatile relationships behind the scenes as he tries to run a free, weekly theatre workshop in South Central Los Angeles.

It's been reported that in one harrowing scene, a young woman chose to stay at the theatre rather than leave to see her dying mother in hospital. Shortly after her mother died, LaBeouf fired her and said the show was better without her. In another scene, the actor instigates a fist fight with an employee. He later shoves that same employee against a wall.

And the violence isn't just physical, with Variety saying LaBeouf unleashed 'emotional terror' on screen. 

The documentary was so disturbing that 30 people reportedly left the cinema during its premiere. It received a two-minute standing ovation, which is Cannes for 'that was awful'.

In a statement to Vanity Fair, LaBeouf said of the documentary: "While my teaching methods may be unconventional for some, I am proud of the incredible accomplishments that these kids achieved."

The Rolling Stone review said "LaBeouf comes off like a monster", while Indie Wire claimed it painted him as an "abusive maniac".

Outside the topic of his project itself — which, it bears repeating, is shocking that it was allowed to premiere in the first place — LaBeouf is currently accused of sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress by his ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs.

When the allegations first came to light, LaBeouf sent an email to the Times, where he said he had been "abusive" to himself and those around him "for years". He said he was "ashamed" of his history.

A few months later in 2021, through his legal team, he denied "generally and specifically, each and every allegation".

Their trial date has been moved a number of times since FKA Twigs first sued in December 2020, most recently due to LaBeouf being "suddenly unavailable" for his deposition in October 2024. There is a new date set for September 2025. 

Why was this man given space, at this point in time, at this calibre of an event, to premiere this kind of film? To put this piece of so-called art into the world? 

I suppose that's just some good, old-fashioned male decency at work.

Shia LaBeouf made a controversial return to Cannes. Image: Getty.

Also making headlines is one Kevin Spacey, who has been handed a lifetime achievement award.

It's important to note the actor has been honoured at an event that is not 'technically' part of the Cannes Film Festival — though it does take place in the same location and at the same time.

Overnight, the actor was honoured with the Award for Excellence in Film and Television by the Better World Fund. He was celebrated for his "artistic brilliance" and "impact on cinema and arts."

In case you forgot, in 2017, Spacey faced several allegations of sexual misconduct. The actor denied all allegations.

In an interview with Piers Morgan in 2024, Spacey admitted to "being too handsy" and "pushing the boundaries", but maintained that he had not done anything illegal.

In 2023, the actor was found not guilty of all charges of sexual assault against four men between 2001 and 2013 after a trial in London; and in 2022 a US court dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit against him.

However, in February 2025, a new sexual abuse allegation was filed against him. That same month, Australian actor Guy Pearce detailed how he was 'targeted' by Spacey on-set while filming L.A Confidential — he said he later sobbed when he realised the extent of allegations against Spacey.

Plus, a documentary released in 2024 titled Spacey: Unmasked detailed new allegations from 10 men who claim they experienced "unwanted sexual behaviour" from the actor.

For his part, Spacey continues to deny all allegations. He says it's 'nice to be back' in Cannes.

Kevin is all smiles in Cannes. Image: Getty.

And let's not forget the most recent arrival, James Franco, who has been lying low since 2018 when he was confronted with allegations of predatory behaviour.

It began with a former girlfriend, Violet Paley, who alleged that he once forced her to perform oral sex during their relationship.

A few days later, the Los Angeles Times reported that five women were accusing Franco of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behaviour when he was their acting coach or mentor.

One former student told the publication that Franco "would always make everybody think there were possible roles on the table if we were to perform sexual acts or take off our shirts". Another alleged that Franco held a sex scenes class and removed students' vaginal guards while simulating oral sex with them.

Via his attorney, Michael Plonsker, Franco disputed the allegations.

The following year, two former students filed a lawsuit against Franco, alleging the program "sought to create a pipeline of young women who were subjected to his personal and professional sexual exploitation in the name of education".

In 2021, the lawsuit was settled. Though Franco continued to deny the claims, he did pay $894,000 to each woman in settlement.

Franco has not since addressed allegations of sexual misconduct, but in 2022 he did admit to having sex with students. He said he had been in recovery for sex addiction since 2016 and had "been doing a lot of work" and "changing who [he] was".

"I suppose at the time, my thinking was if it's consensual, okay," he said on SiriusXM.

Other than that, Franco has kept pretty much out of the spotlight, slowly working his way toward a classic Hollywood rebrand — and here it is at Cannes, I guess.

James Franco is a happy chap at Cannes. Image: Getty.

While men like Franco, LaBeouf and Spacey are still nudging their way back into the fold in Tinsel Town, it seems they feel all too welcome in France.

The women of the industry are held to modest 'decency' standards, with their fashion statements seen as classless and subject to a unique set or rules. But it seems Cannes will always be a place where men like these are welcome. And isn't that just sad?

Feature Image: Getty.