The 78th Cannes Film Festival begins today with a strong lineup of stars, films, and political messages. Held on the French Riviera, this year’s event promises memorable premieres and powerful statements. The opening day will feature a three-film salute to Ukraine, a special award for Robert De Niro, and the debut of a French romance film. The festival runs from May 13 to May 24, 2025.
A Powerful Start to the Festival
Cannes 2025 starts with a tribute to Ukraine, showcasing three documentaries that highlight the ongoing war and its human cost. The films include Zelensky, Bernard-Henri Lévy’s Notre Guerre, and 2000 Meters to Andriivka, a new documentary by Mstyslav Chernov, who won an Oscar for 20 Days in Mariupol. This “Ukraine Day” aims to support journalists, artists, and filmmakers covering the conflict.
Also on opening night, Hollywood legend Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or. It comes nearly 50 years after his classic film Taxi Driver won the festival’s top award in 1976.
The night concludes with the premiere of Leave One Day, a French romance directed by Amélie Bonnin.
Juliette Binoche Leads the Jury
Acclaimed actress Juliette Binoche will head the Cannes jury. She will be joined by several international stars, including Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong. Together, they will decide the winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or, awarded to the best film in competition.
A total of 22 films will compete for the top prize. Some notable entries include Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, and Jafar Panahi’s A Simple Accident.
Tom Cruise Returns to Cannes
On Wednesday, Tom Cruise is set to return to Cannes, three years after premiering Top Gun: Maverick at the festival. This time, he brings the latest Mission: Impossible film titled The Final Reckoning. The franchise remains one of the most successful action series worldwide.
Other big premieres during the festival include Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest and Ari Aster’s Eddington.
Strong Hopes After a Successful 2024
Cannes 2024 was a standout year. It introduced films that later became Oscar contenders, including Emilia Perez, The Substance, Flow, and Anora, which won Best Picture. Festival director Thierry Frémaux said he isn’t worried about matching last year’s success.
“Last year was a beautiful year,” he told reporters. “But at the time, we didn’t know how it would turn out.”
Frémaux also commented on recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested adding tariffs on foreign-made movies. He said it was too early to respond to such plans but stressed the importance of strong American cinema.
“We wouldn’t want American cinema to stop being strong. And right now, it is very strong,” Frémaux said.
Directorial Debuts and Restored Classics
This year’s “Un Certain Regard” section will include several actor-director debuts. Harris Dickinson presents Urchin, Kristen Stewart shows The Chronology of Water, and Scarlett Johansson unveils Eleanor the Great.
Cannes will also honor cinema history with a restored version of The Gold Rush by Charlie Chaplin. The screening celebrates the film’s 100th anniversary.
Controversy in the Background
Cannes opens on the same day a French court is expected to issue a verdict in the case of Gérard Depardieu. The 76-year-old actor has been accused of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts in 2022. The case has received wide media attention in France and internationally.
Spotlight on Ukraine and Global Conflicts
The festival’s focus on Ukraine reflects the global impact of war and the role of film in telling those stories. The selected documentaries provide personal and journalistic perspectives on the invasion, the resistance, and the suffering of civilians.
One of the films, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, offers a close-up view of life near the frontlines. It follows in the footsteps of Chernov’s award-winning 20 Days in Mariupol, which showed the horror of Russia’s siege in 2022.
In its statement, the festival said this tribute reminds audiences of the duty to share the truth. It praised artists and journalists for their courage and commitment to telling difficult stories.
