Shoes are a big deal at the swanky Cannes Film Festival. How big? Last year, there was a firestorm when it was reported that a woman had been turned away for not wearing high heels.

This year, some chose to forego footwear altogether — like Julia Roberts. The actress, who stars in Money Monster alongside George Clooney, showed up in a black Armani Prive gown on Thursday with completely naked feet.

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 12: (L-R) Producer Jodie Foster, actors Julia Roberts, George Clooney and lawyer Amal Clooney attend the "Money Monster" premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 12, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images) Image: Getty Images

Whether Roberts' move was a deliberate show of rebellion or simple forgetfulness (or even a conscious choice to be more comfortable), it was a bold statement.

SEE ALSO: Women reportedly banned for wearing flats at Cannes Film Festival

The festival has always been traditional to an extreme – so much so that celebrities have spoken out about its unfair attitudes toward and expectations for women.

Last year, Emily Blunt said that she believed the high heel rule was antiquated.

“Everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldn’t wear high heels,” Blunt said. “That’s very disappointing, just when you kind of think there are these new waves of equality.”

Recently, Kristen Stewart gave her two cents on heels versus flats, suggesting rules needed to be revised.

"Things have to change immediately,” Stewart said of style rules at a roundtable.

“It has become really obvious that if [a man and I] were walking the red carpet together and someone stopped me and said, ‘Excuse me, young lady, you’re not wearing heels. You cannot come in.’ Then [I’m going to say], ‘Neither is my friend. Does he have to wear heels?’ It can work both ways. It’s just like you simply cannot ask me to do something that you are not asking him. I get the black-tie thing, but you should be able to do either version—flats or heels.”

Whether the festival will hear these outcries is TBD — but DGAF moments like Roberts' and Stewart's are certainly gaining traction.

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