Cannes 2009: Monica Bellucci and Sophie Marceau don matching gowns in Cannes

At the star-studded screening of Monica Bellucci and Sophie Marceau's new movie Don't Look Back, it was difficult to tell where the red carpet ended and the actresses began.
The European actresses obviously took inspiration from the carpet itself as they arrived in complementing red gowns at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.
While few would deny Italian Monica, 44, and French Sophie, 42, looked stunning in their ruby-coloured gowns, it was perhaps an unwise style choice to wear on one of most famous red carpets in the world.

Ladies in red: Monica Bellucci (L) and Sophie Marceau arrive the premiere of their movie Don't Look Back at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday

Having clearly struck up a close friendship while filming French movie Don't Look Back (Ne Te Retourne Pas), the two women put on an affectionate display for photographers, holding hands and cuddling at they arrived at the Palais des Festival on the French Riviera.

 

Monica showed off her famous curves in an off-the-shoulder red Christian Dior silk gown, which she teamed with a red Dior clutch purse and diamonds.
Looking equally statuesque was former Bond girl Sophie in a Yves Saint Laurent Editor Soir strapless column dress and killer red heels.

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Fabulous and fortysomething: The actresses showed off their curves in two figure-hugging column gowns

Close friends: The women were very affectionate on the red carpet

Notably absent were the two women's partners, Sophie's boyfriend Christopher Lambert and Monica's husband Vincent Cassel.
They joined their co-star, Italian actor Andrea Di Stefano and writer/director Marina De Van at the screening after earlier attending a press conference.
In the psychodrama, Sophie plays Jeanne, a writer who is married with two children.

Shining moment: Sophie and Monica joined co-star Andrea Di Stefano (2nd left) and director Marina De Van

She starts to see unsettling changes in her home and realises her body is beginning to change - but no-one around her seems to notice.

Her family dismisses her fears as the result of the stress of having to finish her next book, but Jeanne realises that something far deeper, far more disturbing is taking place.
A photograph at her mother's house sends her in search of a woman in Italy, where she seeks her true identity.

Glamorous: Monica and Sophie, in a Missoni jumpsuit, attend a photocall for their film at Cannes on Saturday afternoon