Thelma & Louise: 35 Years of Empowerment and Rebellion

Ridley Scott's 1991 film "Thelma & Louise" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 1991, challenging stereotypes of drama, action, and road movies. Starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, the film redefined female-led narratives. The screenplay by Callie Khouri, which won an Oscar, faced resistance from producers due to its themes of female violence against male abuse and its non-traditional ending. Producer Mimi Polk Gitlin secured a $16 million budget and initially approached Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster for the lead roles. Scott, drawn to strong female characters from his work on "Alien" and "Blade Runner," postponed other projects to direct. The film featured a young Brad Pitt in one of his early iconic roles. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the Cannes Film Festival has featured the two heroines on the poster for its 79th edition in 2026. The poster depicts Louise (Sarandon) holding a revolver and Thelma (Davis) looking into the distance, seated in a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible. The festival described them as "habitual fighters who shattered cinematic and political stereotypes, embodying absolute freedom and unbreakable friendship."