Photographers, evening wear, red carpet, and palm trees are all the elements that announce the beginning of the festivities of the Cannes Film Festival. The 76th edition opened yesterday, May 16th, and more than 35 000 festival-goers were expected. From the highlights to the opening film to the films in competition, discover the first glittering day of the biggest film festival in the world.
For 40 years, the Cannes Film Festival has been a real institution. It is one of the events, if not THE biggest, awaited by the cinephiles and other people of the 7th art world. This year, the stars approach the steps and the Palais des Festivals red carpet under a stormy sky with autumnal temperatures.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Chiara Mastroiani, daughter of Catherine Deneuve and Marcello Mastroiani. On this occasion, an honorary Palme d’Or was awarded to the great American actor Michael Douglas.
📸 C’est dans la boîte ! #Photocall de Michael Douglas qui reçoit la Palme d’or d’honneur à #Cannes2023
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It’s a wrap! Michael Douglas’ #Photocall to receive the Honorary Palme d’or at #Cannes2023 pic.twitter.com/3L3r0ojnLG— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 16, 2023
As for the jury, it is composed of Ruben Östlund, the Swedish director, Maryam Touzani, Denis Ménochet, Rungano Nyoni, Brie Larson, Paul Dano, Atiq Rahimi, Damián Szifron, and Julia Ducournau.
The first film of the festival
At the curtain call, the audience had the opportunity to discover one of the most anticipated films of the season, Jeanne de Barry. It was directed by Maïwenn, who plays Jeanne de Barry, the king’s favorite.
She is accompanied in this feature film by the actor with multiple hats and a controversial personality, Johnny Depp, who plays the role of Louis XV. The American actor returns to the big screen after his trial overmediatized, which has made the world and which opposed his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
In a sulfurous climate, Johnny Depp was welcomed back to the Cannes Film Festival after years of absence. Dissociating the artist from his art is a whole issue that has divided the film world for many years.
Thierry Frémaux, general delegate of the Cannes festival, expressed himself on this subject: “I have only one conduct in life, the freedom to think, to speak, to act within the framework of the law”. He then emphasized his interest in Johnny Depp “as an actor,” whose performance in the film is “extraordinary.”
Another interesting fact is that the American actor, married for years to the French singer Vanessa Paradis, will interpret his role not in his native language but in French.
21 films in the competition
After the start of hostilities, the race for the Palme d’Or, won last year by the film of director and jury president Ruben Östlund, begins today, Wednesday, with the Monster screening by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda. A total of 21 films will compete, seven directed by women, a record!
There will also be a screening of one of the first films in competition, The Return, by Catherine Corsini. Pedro Almodovar will meet with film lovers, and Michael Douglas will give a Masterclass on the Croisette.
The agenda of the next few days will also be full, with the mythical ascent of the steps of Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford, on the occasion of the presentation of the latest Indiana Jones.
Next week, big French and international stars are expected, such as Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks or Benoît Magimel and Lily-Rose Depp.
All film fans will follow with passion the twists and turns of this 76th ceremony before the festival’s highlight, the awarding of the Palme d’Or 2023.
Read also > 76TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL : RUBEN ÖSTLUND NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE JURY
Featured photo : © PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN/GETTY IMAGES
