News of director Mohammad Rasoulof’s escape from Iran adds a dramatic twist to the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off on Tuesday against an already volatile backdrop of wars raging on Europe’s doorstep, potential worker strikes, and rumours sex abusers may be outed even as they hit the red carpet.
Scandal and controversy are integral to the Cannes Film Festival, but this year’s gathering looks set to be the most turbulent in years – and not only because of the showers and thunderstorms forecast to lash the Côte d’Azur.