Each year, around this time, the world’s most renowned actors, filmmakers, and screenwriters gather in Cannes, a picturesque town on the French Riviera, for one of the film industry’s most prestigious events.
The 78th Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday, promising 12 days filled with major premieres such as Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, and Ari Aster’s Eddington.
Hollywood’s elite were well represented on the red carpet, with stars like Robert De Niro, Quentin Tarantino, and Juliette Binoche making appearances. Leonardo DiCaprio, though skipping the red carpet, made a memorable entrance by presenting De Niro with the honorary Palme d’Or, earning a standing ovation from the audience.
De Niro’s connection with the Cannes Film Festival stretches back to 1976, when he starred in Martin Scorsese’s iconic film Taxi Driver, which went on to win the coveted Palme d’Or that year. This latest honor reflects decades of powerful performances and unforgettable roles that have shaped the landscape of modern cinema.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who was also in attendance, skipped the red carpet, but drew a standing ovation as he presented De Niro with an honorary Palme d’Or. DiCaprio and De Niro share a long-standing professional relationship, having starred together three times. Their collaboration began in 1993 with Michael Caton-Jones’ This Boy’s Life, followed by Jerry Zaks’ Marvin’s Room in 1996, and most recently, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023.
“I have such close feelings for Festival de Cannes…” he declared on hearing of his honorary Palme d’or. “Especially now when there’s so much in the world pulling us apart, Cannes brings us together — storytellers, filmmakers, fans, and friends. It’s like coming home.”
De Niro ‘the archetype actor’
During the ceremony, DiCaprio praised De Niro as “the archetype actor” and acknowledged his outspoken activism, particularly his efforts in “fighting for our democracy.” The crowd’s applause was sustained as De Niro accepted the Palme d’Or with a warm, “Thanks, kiddo”
After expressing his gratitude to the festival, De Niro quickly turned his attention to former President Trump, who recently announced plans to impose tariffs on films produced outside the United States.
“Art is truth. It celebrates diversity, which is why it poses a threat to autocrats and fascists worldwide,” De Niro stated.
He criticized the former president’s cultural policies, saying, “America’s philistine leader has positioned himself at the helm of one of the nation’s key cultural institutions, while cutting funding for the arts, humanities, and education. Now, with the announcement of a 100% tariff on foreign films, he’s attempting to put a price on something priceless—our connection through art.”
This year’s festival jury, led by Juliette Binoche, will be responsible for selecting the winner of the coveted Palme d’Or.
The jury also includes notable members such as Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Hong Sang-soo, Alba Rohrwacher, Dieudo Hamadi, Payal Kapadia, Leïla Slimani, and Carlos Reygadas.
A total of 22 films are in competition for Cannes’ top honor, set to be awarded on Saturday, May 24. Among the contenders are Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, Lynne Ramsay’s Die, My Love, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind, Oliver Hermanus’ The History of Sound, Julia Ducournau’s Alpha, and Jafar Panahi’s A Simple Accident.
