The 78th Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 13 to 24, 2025, has commenced with a blend of cinematic excellence and poignant political discourse.ElHuffPost
🎬 Cinematic Highlights
Opening Night & Tributes
The festival opened with a tribute to Claude Lelouch and his classic Un homme et une femme, followed by the screening of Amélie Bonnin’s French film Partir un jour. Wikipedia+2El PaÃs+2Wikipedia+2
Notable Premieres
- Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme: A visually rich espionage comedy featuring Michael Cera and Mia Threapleton. Vanity Fair
- Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: The latest installment of the franchise premiered out of competition, with Cruise emphasizing the film’s culmination of the series’ narrative arc. People.com
- Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut: The Chronology of Water marks Stewart’s first foray into directing, showcased in the “Un Certain Regard” section. Vanity Fair
Indian Cinema’s Presence
India’s cinematic contributions are notable this year:Indiatimes
- Homebound: Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, this film competes in the “Un Certain Regard” section. Indiatimes+1The Times of India+1
- Aranyer Din Ratri: Satyajit Ray’s 1970 classic returns in a restored version, presented by the Film Heritage Foundation. Indiatimes
🎠Political Discourse
The festival has become a platform for political expression:
- Robert De Niro’s Speech: Upon receiving the honorary Palme d’Or, De Niro criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign films, labeling him a “philistine president” and emphasizing the threat such policies pose to artistic freedom. Vanity Fair
- Jury President Juliette Binoche: Binoche addressed issues of sexual abuse in French cinema, expressed support for the Me Too movement, and highlighted the importance of art as a witness to global conflicts, including the situation in Gaza. ElHuffPost+1Indiatimes+1
👗 Fashion and Festival Atmosphere
The red carpet has seen a mix of glamour and controversy:
- Dress Code Enforcement: The festival’s updated dress code, promoting “conscious elegance,” led to discussions after Halle Berry reportedly had to change her outfit to comply with the new guidelines. YouTube
- Celebrity Appearances: Notable appearances include Eva Longoria, who dazzled in a stunning gown, and Bella Hadid, whose outfit received mixed reviews. Business Insider
🌟 Looking Ahead
As the festival progresses, audiences and critics eagerly anticipate the outcomes of the competitions and the continued intersection of cinema and global discourse.
