Matthew McConaughey and Gus Van Sant seemed unfazed by the criticism thrown on their film The Sea of Trees at the Cannes Film Festival.

MailOnline shared the experience of Pete Hammond, a columnist for Deadline, during the screening of the film at the festival.

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Hammond said that in his 15 years in attending the festival he has never experienced any booing in an actual black-tie premier where film-makers and cast members were present.

Other critics who were present on the festival said that even the worst films imaginable were applauded to show politeness.

According to CBC News, it was called a "dishonest tear jerker" by the Guardian and a "risibly long-winded drama" by Variety.

Scott Foundas, Variety's chief film critic, called the Sea of Trees as "highly maudlin and unpleasant order." It also said that it deserved to be booed.

McConaughey told the press that the film talks about the importance of isolation to get ones salvation and how in facing death you can find life.

Award winning director Van Sant, who directed the film Elephant, was not too concerned of the critics' reaction to the movie.

He explained that upon reading one definitive review he imagined the cast members as the same person as the writer and realized how the film stands.

While, McConaughey admitted to People his frustrations during filming. He explained that there were many times during filming where he said to himself that he doesn't know what he's doing.

Despite this, he still has faith in the film and felt delighted that the film got included in the festival.

When asked about his feelings on the negative reactions that the film has been receiving, he replied "Anyone has as much right to boo as they do to ovate."

The Sea of Trees tells the story of an American who travels to Japan to kill himself after his wife's death. He then meets a Japanese man who joined him into a journey of self-reflection and survival.

TagsMatthew McConaughey, Gus Van San, he Sea of Trees, Cannes Film Festival