Exes Charlize Theron and Sean Penn Have Frosty Run-In During Cannes Photocall: It Was 'Like They'd Never Met'

By Dave Quinn and Peter Mikelbank

05/20/2016 AT 10:50 AM EDT

After ending their two-year relationship almost a year ago, exes Charlize Theron and Sean Penn avoided one another while doing press in Cannes for their new movie The Last Face.

"There was no contact between them," a source tells PEOPLE. "Not a thing."

"Really, like they'd never met," the source continued.

Theron, 40, hit the carpet first, smiling in a knee-length pink scalloped dress with matching belt. She accessorized the look with black strappy heels and bright red lips.



Penn, 55, followed later, wearing a casual army-green jacket, black T-shirt, khaki pants and shades.

The two never interacted directly during the press event. "There was always someone in between them – at least one person. It was like they were on two separate orbits," a source explained.

The distance remained at the film's press conference – with three actors sitting between Theron and Penn. The two did not acknowledge each other while speaking to reporters.

"[Penn] had on a poker face, and stared straight ahead when [Theron] spoke," a source said. Theron, meanwhile, looked around when Penn spoke.

"Sort of like watching ice in a freezer," added the source.

RELATED VIDEO: 5 Things We Can't Wait for at Cannes Film Festival 2016

The couple reunited last summer in Cape Town – more than six weeks after their relationship ended – to reshoot scenes for The Last Face. Penn is directing the film, about the head of an international aid agency in Africa (Theron) who meets a relief aid doctor (Javier Bardem) amid a revolution.

Last year at Cannes, Theron and Penn were the talk of the festival, walking the red carpet together at Theron's Mad Max: Fury Road premiere.

In March, Theron put the rumors about her breakup to rest, saying any reports that she "ghosted" Penn – aka completely and suddenly cut off all communication – are untrue.



"There is this need to sensationalize things," Theron told WSJ Magazine. "When you leave a relationship there has to be some f---ing crazy story or some crazy drama. And the f---ing ghosting thing, like literally I still don't even know what it is."

"It's just its own beast. We were in a relationship and then it didn't work anymore. And we both decided to separate. That's it," Theron added.

MORE ON: Charlize Theron

The Latest

From Our Partners

Just for You

• Why Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kirstie Alley Aren't Speaking
• Chris Pratt Flashed Amy Poehler?! Hear His Take – And See Her Reaction
• The Bachelorette's Andi & Josh Are Moving In Together