The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicks off with a bold mix of political awareness and artistic spectacle. Robert De Niro is being honored, while the ceremony promises unexpected musical moments.
The Cannes Film Festival chose to dedicate the day before its grand opening to that conflict, screening three powerful documentaries.
Another outside event may cause waves on opening day: by coincidence, the festival’s first official evening will unfold just hours after a Paris court delivers its verdict in Gérard Depardieu’s trial.
That ruling is expected to resonate strongly at Cannes, where the film industry’s biggest names gather.
At 7:15 p.m. local time (5:15 p.m. GMT), the spotlight shifts to the opening ceremony. The night will be highlighted by the presentation of an honorary Palme d’Or to Robert De Niro, celebrating his lifelong career. The legendary actor is now 81.
The Taxi Driver star’s speech is sure to grab attention—especially from a film world increasingly wary of the Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tax on foreign films.
The ceremony will also feature a surprise appearance from pop icon Mylène Farmer. A cinephile and former Cannes jury member, she’s expected to take the stage and may perform a previously unreleased song.
The screen will then light up with another French singer: Juliette Armanet, star of the opening film Partir un jour, the debut feature from director Amélie Bonnin. The film is being released simultaneously in French theaters.
This marks the first time a debut feature opens the festival. “It’s only the third time after Diane Kurys and Maïwenn that a female director kicks off Cannes,” noted Festival Director Thierry Frémaux at a press briefing Monday. “It’s a musical comedy—and a truly wonderful film.”
From screenings to red carpets, Cannes is leaning into glamour this year. After last year’s Oscar success, the festival is expected to attract a galaxy of stars, from Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman to Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert Pattinson.
On Monday night, jury president Juliette Binoche dined for the first time with her fellow jurors—including actors Jeremy Strong and Halle Berry, and author Leïla Slimani. Their task: to choose this year’s Palme d’Or winner from among 22 contenders, to be announced on May 24.
With AFP
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