Madonna presents her bra, 1991

In Bed with Madonna

Cannes canned, 1968

Surely the most dramatic year for this drama queen of world festivals was 1968, during the student riots, strikes and general unrest that spread around France from Paris. It led to directors Godard, Truffaut, Louis Malle, Polanski, Lelouch and Milos Forman calling press conferences, withdrawing films and demanding a shutdown in sympathy with the students. After two days of sit-ins, the festival called a halt to proceedings.

Bardot reveals the bikini, 1953

Eighteen-year-old, tousle-haired French ingénue Brigitte Bardot brought the bikini to international attention by appearing in one on the beach opposite Kirk Douglas. "I've never seen one of those before," he said, smiling. A year later, British starlet Simone Silva let her bikini top slip off in front of photographers snapping Robert Mitchum, cementing the Riviera's reputation as an eternal sunshine of the topless kind.

Michael Moore wins Palme d'Or, 2004

The only documentary ever to win the main prize is Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore's anti-Bush, anti-Iraq war polemic. It was awarded by a jury presided over by Quentin Tarantino – "on artistic merit". However, the victory for Moore, which made international front-page news, illustrates the often political nature of Cannes selections; many believe that the juries can be "influenced" according to a French political agenda.

Borat unveils the mankini, 2006



Bee Movie

The Misfortunates

Antichrist delivers most shocking shot, 2009



In the Realm of the Senses

Irreversible

The Brown Bunny dubbed worst film ever, 2003



Southland Tales

Marie Antoinette

Da Vinci Code

The Brown Bunny

The Brown Bunny

sex, lies and videotape sparks indie boom, 1989



M*A*S*H

Do the Right Thing

French boo Pialat home win, 1987



Sous le soleil de Satan

Entre les murs

The Class

Kathy Burke wins best actress, 1997



Linha de Passe

Volver

Nobody Knows

Nil By Mouth