Cannes 2024: Women and Freedom Triumph

The 77th Cannes Film Festival concluded in style, celebrating diversity and commitment. From the Palme d’Or awarded to a film about a stripper to the special jury prize for an Iranian filmmaker in exile, here’s a look back at a memorable edition.

The curtain fell on Saturday night on the 77th Cannes Film Festival, and the awards revealed a focus on female emancipation and the fight for freedom. In an atmosphere both festive and solemn, the jury, chaired by American director, screenwriter and actress Greta Gerwig, honored strong and committed works reflecting contemporary concerns.

The Palme d’Or was awarded to Anora, by American director Sean Baker. This outrageous comedy follows the journey of a New York stripper who finds herself thrust into the glitzy world of Las Vegas after marrying the son of a Russian oligarch. In dedicating his prize to “all sex workers,” Sean Baker emphasized the importance of giving a voice to those who are often marginalized.

French cinema was also celebrated, with two major awards for Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez. This flamboyant musical comedy, which tells the story of a Mexican drug trafficker’s transformation into a generous and altruistic woman, won the Jury Prize as well as the Best Actress Award for its moving quartet of actresses. Transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón delivered a poignant message, reminding everyone that “we all have the ability to change for the better.”

Another women’s struggle was honored with the Grand Prix, awarded to All We Imagine As Light by Indian director Payal Kapadia. The first Indian film in competition in three decades, this powerful work depicts the solidarity among three women facing patriarchy. This prize resonates as a call for greater diversity in Cannes’ selection.

Emotion ran high during the presentation of a Special Jury Prize by Lebanese director and actress Nadine Labaki to the Iranian film The Seed of The Sacred Fig by Mohammad Rasoulof. In a moving speech, she emphasized the responsibility of art and paid tribute to the courage of the director and his team, who managed to make this film despite the repression of the Iranian regime. Mohammad Rasoulof, deeply touched, thanked the jury and denounced the situation of the Iranian people “held hostage,” while praising the bravery of the actresses in his film. He paid homage to the artists imprisoned in his country and to the women who defy the regime by removing their veils. It was a moment of grace and courage that will remain in memory.

Other films stood out for their audacity and uniqueness. Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, which won the Screenplay Prize, offers a feminist and trashy reinterpretation of the myth of eternal youth, featuring a stunning performance by Demi Moore. Jesse Plemons received the Best Actor Award for his range of compelling roles in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness.

The closing ceremony also paid tribute to two giants of cinema. Star Wars saga icon George Lucas received an honorary Palme d’Or from his friend Francis Ford Coppola, to standing ovations from a packed and admiring audience.

In conclusion, Sean Baker emphasized the importance of the collective cinema experience: “Movies are made to be seen in theaters, not on a mobile phone.” This essential message during these times of industry transformation resonates as an invitation to continue keeping the magic of the big screen alive.

The Cannes 2024 Festival celebrated the essential struggles of our time, whether it be women’s rights, freedom of expression, or resistance to oppression. By spotlighting strong and necessary works, it reminded us of cinema’s power to awaken consciousness and bring people together around universal values. The 78th edition already promises to be exciting.