Cannes – The cast and crew of Brazilian film “Aquarius”, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, staged a protest in support of President Dilma Rousseff on the red carpet.
Brazilian Senate had voted last Thursday to put leftist Rousseff on trial for breaking budget laws.
The development automatically led to her suspension from office for up to 180 days as the trial commenced.
Rousseff, however, denied any wrongdoing and said she was the victim of a coup.
As they reached the top of the steps of the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals main building, Director Kleber Mendonca Filho and his team unveiled protest signs.
Mendonca Filho said: “Un coup d’Etat a eu lieu au Bresil” (A coup has been staged in Brazil).
Other members of the cast and crew also held signs, with one saying: “54,501,118 votes set on fire.’’
They were escorted into the building by festival Director Thierry Fremaux without further incident. (Reuters/NAN