Blake Lively slams Cannes gala for Woody Allen 'rape' joke

Actress Blake Lively has criticised the Cannes Film Festival for allowing a controversial rape joke about filmmaker Woody Allen to be part of the opening night ceremony.

French comedian Laurent Lafitte drew gasps from the audience with the joke that referred to the sexual assault allegations against the 80-year-old, who is in France to promote his film "Cafe Society".

"I think any jokes about rape, homophobia or Hitler is not a joke," Lively told variety.com.

"I think that was a hard thing to swallow in 30 seconds. Film festivals are such a beautiful, respectful festivals of film and artists and to have that, it felt like it wouldn't have happened if it was in the 1940s," she added.

"The Age of Adaline" actress said that the whole incident was "really confusing".

"But it wasn't just Woody. He made three homophobic comments in a row. A Hitler joke and a rape joke. It was all within 30 seconds... What on earth was happening? It was really confusing," she said.

The 69th annual Cannes Film Festival will conclude on May 22.

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