Unbelievable photos from the most glamorous celebrity event in the world that's 70 years old

Carrie Wittmer
Madonna Cannes 1991Dave Hogan/Getty ImagesMadonna at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.

The Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off its 2017 run on Wednesday, i an exclusive, invitation-only film festival that started in 1946.

The Cannes festival, which takes place every year on the French Riviera, has changed a lot over the years. It’s primarily about the films, but over the past few decades, it’s evolved into one of the biggest occasions for fashion, and celebrities have walked its red carpet in some iconic looks. But it wasn’t always so fashion-focused.

Business Insider talked to Getty Images‘ Director of Digital Archives Bob Ahern about the progression of Cannes from film festival to one of the glamorous, star-filled occasion of the entire year, and Getty provided some images from the fest’s history.

Getty Images photographers have been covering Cannes for over 20 years. Getty also has one of the world’s largest collections of archival Cannes imagery, which dates back to the very first festival in 1946. Throughout this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Getty will have a team of 80 people, which includes photographers and videographers, social-media experts, picture editors, assignment editors, and technicians.

Here are stunning photos of stars from the Cannes Film Festival over the years and how it’s evolved:

'Cannes is a challenge -- it's changed so much over the years.'

Slim Aarons/Getty Images
Two bikini-clad holidaymakers enjoy a glass of wine outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes.

'You used to really see Cannes -- the beach, the trees. There's less of that today,' Ahern said. Nowadays, there's more focus on the red carpet.

Keystone/Stringer/Getty Images
6th April 1954: British actress Simone Silva (1928 - 1957) posing topless with the American star Robert Mitchum (1917 - 1997) during the Cannes film festival. Having been elected 'Miss Festival', Simone Silva was asked to leave the festival after her semi-nude pose which resulted in one photographer breaking his arm and another his leg in the rush for pictures.

Ahern pointed out that this scandalous image of Simone Silver was a good example of stars becoming more candid in front of the public eye.

In Cannes' early days, photographers had easier access to celebrities, which allowed these intimate moments to be captured by photographers.

Patrick Morin/RDA/Getty Images
American actor Kirk Douglas and French actress Brigitte Bardot (centre) at the beach during the Cannes Film Festival, April 1953.

'The '50s were an amazing time... an exciting time. How studios were operating, the whole construct of celebrity was controlled by studio, and it was becoming more candid.'

Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
FRANCE - APRIL 01: The French Star Brigitte Bardot Strolling On The Beach Of Cannes During The Cannes Film Festival, On April 1956.

Ahern told Business Insider that this candid of Diana Dors from the festival in 1956 could've never been captured today.

John Chillingworth/Stringer/Getty Images
English actress Diana Dors (1931-1984) and Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) are mobbed by fans at the Cannes International Film Festival, France.

It's also his favourite photo in the collection.

According to Ahern, photographers 'simply don't have this kind of up-close and personal access anymore.' He credits that to the change in celebrity, and the presence of social media.

ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Sophia Loren, April 1955

Here's a private moment with the legendary Sophia Loren.

The shift is 'difficult to pinpoint,' according to Ahern, but he says the festival started to change in the late '80s and early '90s, as the studios started 'losing control over the agenda of Cannes.'

Lefebrve/ullstein bild via Getty Images

This image of Arnold Schwarzenegger at Cannes in 1977 is one of the best things your eyes will ever see.

Keystone/Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the film actor who first became famous as Mr Universe for his magnificent physique, on Cannes beach during the Film Festival with the girls from the Folies Bergere.

'I don't think anyone has outdone Madonna,' Ahern said. This 1991 photo of the singer, who was promoting the documentary 'Madonna: Truth or Dare' about her, says it all.

Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Actress Madonna arrives for the premiere of her film 'In Bed with Madonna' (known in the United States as 'Madonna: Truth or Dare') in 1991 at the Cannes Film Festival, France.

Ahern also said that the Cannes dress code is 'buttoned-up and very strict,' so for Madonna to come to Cannes in this outfit was a 'breathtaking moment.'

When searching for archived images, Ahern said that he's drawn to photos 'that say something about the celebrity -- all the classic moments you can't recreate.'

Keystone/Stringer/Getty Images
1999: Actress Faye Dunaway poses for a portrait shoot at Cannes Film Festival, France.

While you see less of Cannes as a backdrop today, there are still some little and glamorous moments to capture. 'Cannes is a big deal for us,' Ahern said. 'Our coverage is second to none.'

Francois Durand/Getty Images
Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett attend the Premiere of 'Carol' during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2015 in Cannes, France.

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