Rape sick at zero hour show

Some 250 shocked and nauseous guests walked out of the official screening of Cannes Film Festival French entry Irreversible that features an explicit 10-minute rape scene.

Around 20 people, mostly women, were sick and some needed oxygen while more than 200 of the 2,400 spectators walked out halfway through the screening of Gaspar Noe’s film. Those who stayed gave a five-minute standing ovation.

A fire brigade spokesman, Lieutenant General Courtel, said: ‘‘In 25 years in my job I’ve never seen this at the Cannes Festival.’’ The screening was attended by Italian Monica Bellucci who plays the rape victim. The film is in competition for the Golden Palm. As well as buggery and rape, there is a brutal murder with a fire extinguisher set in Rectum, a sado-masochistic gay club.