The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday with the announcement of Greta Gerwig’s jury and the presentation of an honorary Palme d’Or for legendary actress Meryl Streep. The festival kicked off with the screening of the opening night film, “The Second Act,” a French comedy starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel, and Raphaël Quenard. Streep received the honorary Palme during the opening ceremony, marking the beginning of a 10-day event that will see a star-studded lineup grace Cannes’ famous red carpet.
As the festival unfolds, highly anticipated films like George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” Francis Ford Coppola’s self-financed “Megalopolis,” and new works from acclaimed directors like Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold, and Kevin Costner will premiere at Cannes. However, the focus has also been on off-screen drama, including allegations of rape and sexual abuse by French actor Judith Godrèche against two film directors. Godrèche will premiere her short film “Moi Aussi” at Cannes, shedding light on the #MeToo moment gripping the French film industry.
Amidst the glamour of the festival, there have been some challenges, with festival workers expressing frustration over short-term contracts that leave them ineligible for unemployment benefits between festivals. Additionally, Iranian filmmaker Mohammed Rasoulof, whose film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is set to premiere in competition at Cannes, revealed that he had fled Iran after being sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging. His film is expected to offer a critical portrayal of the Iranian regime.
The Cannes red carpet will see a parade of stars including Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, Selena Gomez, Nicolas Cage, and Barry Keoghan. The closing ceremony on May 25 will feature the presentation of an honorary Palme d’Or to filmmaker George Lucas. Last year’s Cannes Film Festival was praised for its strong lineup, producing three Oscar best picture nominees. To maintain the festival’s reputation, Messi, the canine star of one of last year’s hits, “Anatomy of a Fall,” will make appearances in Cannes for French TV spots.
A successful Cannes Film Festival holds significant importance for France, as it will help the country maintain a global spotlight through the summer. Following the festival, France will host events like the French Open, the Tour de France, and the highly anticipated summer Olympics in Paris. The Olympic flame will symbolically make its way up the steps of Cannes’ Palais des Festivals on May 21, connecting these major events and highlighting the cultural significance of the Cannes Film Festival on the global stage.
