Hollywood stars call for equal pay at Cannes festival

82 protesters represent top award contenders by female directors

CANNES, France - Hollywood stars including Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart and Salma Hayek called on Saturday for equal pay in the cinema industry and beyond in a red-carpet protest at the Cannes film festival.

Eighty-two actresses, filmmakers and producers marched arm and arm to demand equality and "a safe workplace", seven months after the world was shaken by the#MeToo movement.