The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicked off with a mix of glamour, politics, and unexpected moments.  The festival's opening night was a whirlwind of activity.  The red carpet was bustling with stars, but the real talk of the town was the political statements made by some of the biggest names in Hollywood.  The ceremony was filled with drama, both on and off the stage.  The French musical comedy, "Partir un Jour, " was supposed to be the main event, but it was overshadowed by the political speeches and the star power on display.  The festival's jury, led by Juliette Binoche, made a strong statement with their fashion choices, with Binoche wearing a light pink pantsuit that reminded some of the "Dune" universe.  The jury, which included actors like Jeremy Strong and Halle Berry, walked the red carpet hand in hand, setting a tone of unity and solidarity.

The red carpet was a mix of old and new, with past winners of the Palme d’Or, like Quentin Tarantino and Sean Baker, rubbing shoulders with younger stars like Eva Longoria and Julia Garner.  But not everyone who was expected to attend made an appearance.  Tom Cruise, who is in town to premiere his latest film, was notably absent.  The fashion police, who are usually strict about the dress code, seemed to have taken the night off.  One man was spotted wearing a knitted necktie instead of the mandatory bowtie, and another was seen in dirty blue boat shoes with his black tux.  Despite the relaxed dress code, the crowds were eager to get inside the Palais, with short lines forming as people hurried past the flashing cameras.

The real drama, however, was inside the Palais.  Robert De Niro, who was in France to accept an honorary Palme d’Or from Leonardo DiCaprio, used his acceptance speech to slam Donald Trump, calling him "America's philistine president. "  De Niro's speech was a call to action, urging the crowd to oppose the Trump administration without resorting to violence.  DiCaprio's introduction focused on De Niro's iconic screen performances, but he also praised De Niro for his willingness to take a stand.  Binoche's opening remarks also carried a political message, referencing the war in Gaza and other hot-button issues.  The ceremony included a tribute to David Lynch, but the show-stopping moment came when Tarantino strode on stage like a circus ringmaster to declare Cannes officially opened.

The festival's opening night celebration of cinema draws global attention, but the movies that kick off the festival often fade from memory quickly.  "Partir un Jour, " which screened early to some critics, may continue this tradition after receiving mixed reviews.  Cannes' status as a critical awards season stop was validated after last year's Palme d’Or winner, Sean Baker’s "Anora, " ended up triumphing at the Oscars, capturing best picture.  Recent editions have also seen the premieres of Oscar heavyweights like "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Zone of Interest. "  It’s unclear if this year will play host to other major awards contenders.  On paper, the lineup offers something for a wide arrange of tastes.  It includes a handful of major studio releases such as Cruise’s final outing as super spy Ethan Hunt, as well as films from renowned auteurs like Ari Aster, Julia Ducournau, Spike Lee, Oliver Hermanus and Joachim Trier.

The festival's opening night was a mix of glamour, politics, and unexpected moments.  The red carpet was bustling with stars, but the real talk of the town was the political statements made by some of the biggest names in Hollywood.  The ceremony was filled with drama, both on and off the stage.  The festival's jury, led by Juliette Binoche, made a strong statement with their fashion choices, with Binoche wearing a light pink pantsuit that reminded some of the "Dune" universe.  The jury, which included actors like Jeremy Strong and Halle Berry, walked the red carpet hand in hand, setting a tone of unity and solidarity.  The real drama, however, was inside the Palais.  Robert De Niro, who was in France to accept an honorary Palme d’Or from Leonardo DiCaprio, used his acceptance speech to slam Donald Trump, calling him "America's philistine president. "  De Niro's speech was a call to action, urging the crowd to oppose the Trump administration without resorting to violence.  DiCaprio's introduction focused on De Niro's iconic screen performances, but he also praised De Niro for his willingness to take a stand.  Binoche's opening remarks also carried a political message, referencing the war in Gaza and other hot-button issues.  The ceremony included a tribute to David Lynch, but the show-stopping moment came when Tarantino strode on stage like a circus ringmaster to declare Cannes officially opened.

FILM INDUSTRY AND ECONOMY

Celebrities, Politics, and Surprises at Cannes

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