Amidst protests over France’s pension system and the ongoing Hollywood screenwriters’ strike, the 74th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on July 6th with the premiere of the historical drama Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp. This marks Depp’s first film since his highly publicized trial with ex-wife Amber Heard in 2020, in which both accused the other of abuse. Depp won $10 million in damages and Heard $2 million.
Despite the controversy surrounding its lead actor, Jeanne du Barry has already garnered praise for its historical accuracy and impressive performances from Depp and co-star Emilia Clarke. Throughout the festival, which runs from July 6th to July 17th, a diverse range of films and directors will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or award, including Hollywood blockbusters, independent cinema, and international films.
Celebrities set to attend the festival include Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Alicia Vikander, and Natalie Portman, with Michael Douglas receiving a lifetime achievement award. Scarlette Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, and Steve Carell are also expected to make appearances.
This year’s lineup includes 21 films in competition, with just seven directed by women, causing concerns over a lack of gender diversity in the festival’s selection process. However, this year’s lineup is still an improvement compared to past years. Returning Hollywood directors include Steven Spielberg, with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Martin Scorsese, with Killers of the Flower Moon, Wes Anderson, Ken Loach, and Alice Rohrwacher.
In addition to the Palme d’Or, which will be decided by a jury led by two-time Palme winner Ruben Östlund, the festival will also feature the world premiere of Pixar’s latest animated film, Elemental. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film follows the journey of a young water spirit named Nia and a fire spirit named Wade, who set out to restore balance to a world thrown out of harmony. The film boasts an impressive French voice cast, including Adèle Exarchopoulos and Vincent Lacoste, and is described as “funny, full of heart, and stunning.”
Overall, the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival promises to be a memorable event, with a diverse range of films and celebrities in attendance. While controversies and concerns over selection processes remain, the festival continues to highlight the best in international cinema and remains a must-attend event for all film lovers.
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