Cannes 2025 Opens: De Niro Honored, Juliette Binoche Leads Jury/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The 78th Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday with Juliette Binoche leading the jury and Robert De Niro receiving an honorary Palme d’Or. The two-week cinematic showcase begins with major premieres and a tribute to Ukraine, setting the stage for a politically charged, star-studded edition. Cannes also reacts to global issues, including U.S. film tariffs and France’s #MeToo reckoning.
Cannes 2025 Launches with Star Power and Statements: Quick Looks
- Juliette Binoche leads nine-member Palme d’Or jury.
- Robert De Niro honored 49 years after Taxi Driver win.
- Opening film: Leave One Day by Amélie Bonnin.
- Cannes spotlights Ukraine with three documentaries.
- Binoche, Berry, Strong among jury members.
- Cannes enforces new red carpet dress rules.
- Frémaux shrugs off tariff talk, says it’s too early.
- Festival returns with premieres from Cruise, Lee, Anderson.
- 22 films compete for Palme d’Or.
- Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush opens in restored form.
Cannes Opens with De Niro Tribute, Binoche Jury & Ukraine Spotlight: Deep Look
CANNES, France — The 78th Cannes Film Festival roared to life Tuesday with a potent blend of Hollywood glamour, geopolitical reflection, and cinematic prestige as Juliette Binoche’s jury took center stage and Robert De Niro received an honorary Palme d’Or, nearly five decades after Taxi Driver claimed Cannes’ top prize.
The festival kicked off with Amélie Bonnin’s romantic drama Leave One Day and a three-film tribute to Ukraine, including the premiere of 2000 Meters to Andriivka from 20 Days in Mariupol director Mstyslav Chernov.
Stars, Politics, and Provocation
Binoche was joined by fellow jurors Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong, among others, as the festival launched into a lineup that features 22 films competing for the Palme d’Or, from directors including Wes Anderson, Lynne Ramsay, Joachim Trier, and Jafar Panahi.
“We can see that he’s fighting and trying in many different ways to save America and save his ass.”
Festival director Thierry Frémaux, known for his dry wit, quipped that the only pressure he recognizes is “in beer,” referencing France’s bière à la pression. Despite 2024 producing several Oscar contenders, including Anora, Frémaux insisted no one knows how a festival will unfold until it begins.
Dress Code Drama & Red Carpet Reform
Berry, known for her bold fashion statements, admitted she changed outfits for the opening ceremony after Cannes implemented strict new dress protocols — banning nudity and long trains on gowns for its black-tie evening premieres at the Palais des Festivals.
“I had an amazing dress,” Berry confessed, “but I’ll wear it another time.”
A Festival of Debuts and Returns
The Un Certain Regard sidebar will feature three directorial debuts by actors:
- Harris Dickinson – Urchin
- Kristen Stewart – The Chronology of Water
- Scarlett Johansson – Eleanor the Great
Cannes Turns Global Lens on Ukraine
Marking Ukraine Day, Cannes screened three major 2025 documentaries:
- Zelensky
- Notre Guerre by Bernard-Henri Lévy
- 2000 Meters to Andriivka by Mstyslav Chernov
In a statement, the festival called it a reminder of “the commitment of artists, authors and journalists to tell the story of this conflict in the heart of Europe.”
Justice in the Spotlight
The festival’s opening coincided with the conviction of Gérard Depardieu, one of France’s most iconic actors, found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. The timing cast a shadow over a festival that continues to grapple with the legacy of #MeToo in the European film world.
Competition Highlights: Films Vying for Palme d’Or
Some of the most anticipated titles in competition include:
- Wes Anderson – The Phoenician Scheme
- Richard Linklater – Nouvelle Vague
- Lynne Ramsay – Die, My Love
- Julia Ducournau – Alpha
- Oliver Hermanus – The History of Sound
- Kelly Reichardt – The Mastermind
The Cannes Film Festival concludes May 24, with jury deliberations culminating in the announcement of the Palme d’Or and other prizes.
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