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(Newser) – The Cannes Film Festival is coming under scrutiny for its policy of only allowing women dressed in high heels to walk the red carpet for its formal premieres. Many are criticizing the festival after Screen International reported that several middle-aged women were turned away from the Sunday premiere of Carol for wearing flats. Today, at least one actress spoke out about the matter: Emily Blunt called the report "very disappointing."

The red carpet at Cannes is highly regulated by tradition: Men are expected to wear tuxedos, women dresses and heels. The dress code isn't explicitly spelled out by the festival, but it is enforced by security guards. Meanwhile, Sicario director Denis Villeneuve joked that he, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin would wear heels to the evening premiere in protest. The festival did not immediately respond to queries. (Read more Cannes Film Festival stories.)