With clouds parting ways to shed intermittent showers, anticipation and applause filled the air as the Cannes Film Festival inaugurated its 77th edition on Tuesday. By gracing the cherished and legendary Meryl Streep with an honorary Palme d’Or and introducing the members of Greta Gerwig’s jury, the dazzling event on the French Riviera began its course through a potential sea of change and upheaval.
The grand procession of cinema’s elite traversed the festival’s famed red carpet beginning with the premiere of “The Second Act,” a comedic narrative of discordant actors portrayed by Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel, and Raphael Quenard under the unique direction of artificial intelligence.
Nonetheless, the festival’s most prolonged and hearty accolades were reserved for the revered Meryl Streep, who during the opening ceremony, embraced her honorary Palme d’Or. Spearheaded by Juliette Binoche’s introduction, Streep expressed gratitude towards the gathering, humbled by their enduring support. “I’m just so grateful that you haven’t gotten sick of my face and you haven’t gotten off of the train,” Streep remarked, shortly before declaring the festival officially underway alongside Binoche.
The luminary actress reflected nostalgically, citing her mother’s words on life’s passing speed, jesting about her lengthy speech in contrast to the swiftly changing times. Similar adoration was directed towards Greta Gerwig, notable as the inaugural female American filmmaker to preside over the Cannes jury. This jury is tasked with selecting the illustrious Palme d’Or recipient, a hallmark of cinematic prestige.
Artistic Director Thierry Fremaux lauded Gerwig on Monday, recognizing her as the quintessential director for such a role in Cannes, distinguishing her contributions to both independent and mainstream cinema alongside her cinema historical interests. Fremaux’s adulation extended to Gerwig’s recent project, “Barbie,” ahead of Cannes’ showcasing of anticipated titles including George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” Francis Ford Coppola’s self-funded “Megalopolis,” and new offerings from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold, and Kevin Costner.
This year’s festival, however, is not devoid of off-screen drama. With French actor Judith Godreche’s accusations against two directors for rape and sexual abuse during her teen years, the French film community is embroiled in its profound #MeToo reckoning. Godreche’s own short film, “Moi Aussi,” is set to premiere at Cannes, symbolizing a tide of evolving discourse. Gerwig, addressing the movement’s growth, championed the power of the film community in propelling positive change, urging for continued dialogues within and beyond the industry.
Gerwig’s diverse jury—comprising Lily Gladstone, Eva Green, J.A. Bayona, Omar Sy, Nadine Labaki, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Ebru Ceylan, and Pierfrancesco Favino—reflects a global and philosophical span of cinema. The jurors anticipate the challenge of weighing world affairs with cinematic achievements, as evidenced by questions circled around the conflicts in Gaza, and the presence of films like Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice,” which features Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump.
Art and cinema often reflect the beating heart of the zeitgeist, and Cannes remains a crucial stage where beauty is sought after as an elixir for peace, according to Favino. This notion sits at the core of the festival’s ethos, especially in light of looming workers’ strikes and the political repercussions faced by filmmakers such as Iranian Mohammad Rasoulof, who fled his homeland following severe sentencing.
In a show of both the sophisticated and lighthearted spirit of Cannes, George Lucas is set to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the closing, while the festival also saw Messi, the canine star from “Anatomy of a Fall,” trot down the carpet on the opening day. Stars like Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, Selena Gomez, Nicolas Cage, and Barry Keoghan are among those to watch, adding to the pageantry and conversations that will unfold.
The 77th iteration of the festival must now meet the high bar set by last year’s platform, which not only celebrated a powerful lineup but also contributed three films to the Oscar best picture nominations. With the global spotlight soon transitioning from Cannes to the French Open, Tour de France, and the Summer Olympics in Paris, it remains critical for France to maintain its cultural prominence. Bearing the Olympic torch, the festival will endeavor to emulate the vigor of yesteryear, carrying forward the torch of storytelling innovation and collective growth.
