Cannes Film Festival Wraps: Key Moments You Missed

CANNES, France (AP) — The Cannes Film Festival has concluded amid dramatic circumstances this year, culminating in a power outage just before the closing ceremony which then led to the awards being presented.
The Palme d’Or award went to Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s movie.
It was merely an accident.

This year’s festival included
a strong slate
As Cannes has grown more significant for Oscar contenders, it became evident as the festival concluded on Saturday that filmmakers are grappling with these challenges.
geo-political crises, climate change, and other disasters
that strongly mirror present-day occurrences.

This year’s festival has been a captivating event right from the beginning—owing to revised regulations for its red carpets, concerns over possible U.S. tariffs, and the comeback of Tom Cruise.

In any typical year, keeping track of everything at Cannes can be quite extensive. Below is a helpful overview of what has transpired thus far, what remains ahead, and potential implications.

An eventful last day

On Saturday, an electricity shutdown triggered by vandalism impacted parts of southern France, including Cannes, which remained devoid of power. Although the closure event wasn’t at risk thanks to backup energy supplies, this incident momentarily added more unpredictability to the 12-day celebration.

The ceremony concluded with Panahi receiving an award for his revenge drama film, followed by a call to action from the director.
mentioned to The Associated Press earlier in the week
He intended to go back to Iran following the conclusion of the festival.

Let’s unite,” stated Panahi, who hasn’t been allowed to leave Iran for the past fifteen years. “Nobody should have the right to dictate our clothing choices, actions, or restrictions. Cinema itself represents a microcosm of society. No one has the authority to impose limitations on what we choose to do.

The second prize at the Grand Prix was bestowed upon Joachim Trier’s Norwegian family drama.
“Sentimental Value,”
His highly acclaimed successor to “The Worst Person in the World.” Although some anticipated that “Sentimental Value” would claim the Palme d’Or, Trier—who collaborates again with actress Renate Reinsve—still secured a significant award.

Another big winner was
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Brazilian political thriller
“The Secret Agent,” which took home awards for best director for Filho and best actor for Wagner Moura.

What transpired during the second week of Cannes?

On Monday, two unexpected events occurred due to Spike Lee’s newest movie, ” Highest 2 Lowest.” The initial surprise was an
honorary Palme d’Or for Denzel Washington,
Who showed up for the premiere during a brief visit on his one day off from performing “Othello” on Broadway?

A unexpected twist followed the movie’s debut, as Rihanna graced the red carpet alongside her partner A$AP Rocky, who has a role in the film.

Lee explained to AP
How “Highest 2 Lowest,” which bears Lee’s unmistakable mark as an tribute to an Akira Kurosawa movie, connects to the source material.

“I spent my childhood going to see musicals with my mom,” he explains. “‘The Sound of Music’ was one of them. Think about that fantastic song by Rodgers and Hammerstein performed by Julie Andrews. How did Coltrane interpret it? It’s similar to that comparison. We approached our project much like how Coltrane transformed ‘My Favorite Things,’ ” he suggests.

The festival saw one of its most enthusiastic welcomes on Wednesday with the presentation of Trier’s “Sentimental Value.”

The movie features Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning and serves as Trier’s follow-up to his previous work.
In 2021’s “The Worst Person in the World.”
Predicting the winner of the Palme d’Or remains incredibly challenging, but should “Sentimental Value” emerge victorious, it would signify the first occasion a Norwegian movie claims the coveted top prize at the festival.

Straight from hosting “Saturday Night Live,”
Scarlett Johansson debuted as a director with her first film,
“Eleanor the Great,” which was featured in the Un Certain Regard category, is a humorous and heartfelt character-focused film set in New York. It stars June Squibb as a woman who adopts her deceased friend’s tale of surviving the Holocaust.

On Thursday night, numerous celebrities who were in town for Cannes participated in the amfAR gala aimed at raising funds for AIDS research and prevention initiatives.
One of the standout pieces featured at the upcoming auction includes
This year: a cameo appearance in Lee’s upcoming film and artworks created by James Franco and Adrien Brody.

A few notable highlights from Cannes so far include

The Cannes festival kicked off last Tuesday with a
dazzling homage to Robert De Niro,
Forty-nine years after “Taxi Driver” clinched the festival’s highest honor, the Palme d’Or, De Niro employed his own honorary Palme to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump, who frequently faces his disapproval.

He similarly enjoyed the admiration of some of cinema’s greats, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Quentin Tarantino.

Cannes showcased a intricate 4K restoration of “The Gold Rush,”
One of Charlie Chaplin’s most cherished works from the silent film era.
, synchronized with the film’s centenary celebration. “Our grandfather would undoubtedly feel immense pride knowing he has inspired so many people after a century, gathering such an enthusiastic audience eager to watch his work,” remarked Kiera Chaplin at a crowded screening event.

Tom Cruise stole the limelight
On day two of the newest “Mission: Impossible” release, “Final Reckoning,” Tom Cruise opted for grounded action over aerial stunts. This choice mirrored a current pattern within the series.
those times of fighter jets performing flybys are over.
Jerry Seinfeld dressed as a bee along with other major stunts.

On that Thursday, news emerged that the
festival had barred
French actor Théo Navarro-Mussy’s attendance at the premiere of the competition entry “Case 137” is thought to mark a first.
The festival during the #MeToo era.
Navarro-Mussy has faced accusations of rape in a case that is still under appeal.

The following day, Bono debuted his documentary titled “Bono: Stories of Surrender.”
In a wide-ranging interview,
The renowned rock star discussed how this initiative provided him with new perspectives (such as a greater respect for his deceased father), expressed worries over the disbandment of USAID, and shared initial thoughts on meeting Pope Leo XIV.

Ari Aster made his debut with his COVID-era movie as well.
“Eddington” to mixed reviews.

Over the weekend, Richard Linklater’s newest film, “Nouvelle Vague,”
fared better with critics.
Similarly, Jennifer Lawrence’s acting in Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin” stood out.
already garnering Oscar buzz.
Kristen Stewart, along with numerous other performers,
unveiling their directorial debuts
At Cannes this year, “The Chronology of Water” was unveiled in the festival’s UnCertain Regard category. Through her film, Stewart aims to
destroy the myth
Directing is reserved for only a chosen number of people.

It’s a misconception that you must possess an extraordinary set of tools or credentials,” she stated. “If you have something meaningful to express, a film can naturally emerge with grace.

“My Father’s Shadow”
Made history on Sunday as the inaugural Nigerian film
To be featured as part of the official Cannes selection, debuting within the Un Certain Regard section.

It holds significant value for individuals in Nigeria. It signifies that we can thrive on these platforms and share our narratives within these realms,” stated director Akinola Davies Jr. “This reflects the abundant talents present in Nigeria. This highlights the compelling tales that abound there. This underscores the burgeoning industry.

Fresh guidelines for the red carpet and celebrities’ reactions to them

One of the most talked-about decisions by Cannes this year so far has been its
decree stating that nudity is prohibited
By festival attendees, as well as “ample” ensembles, particularly those featuring an extensive train, are also appreciated.

The decision to prohibit revealing appearances follows the “nude dress” trend at red-carpet events, including
Bianca Censori’s Grammys look
and numerous of the costumes
seen on Vanity Fair party guests
after the Oscars.

Last week, Cannes press officials stated that the festival “clearly outlined in its charter several regulations that have been in place for a long time.”

How did the celebrities at Cannes react?

Halle Berry, part of the festival jury led by Juliette Binoche, informed journalists that she would adhere to this rule and had altered her appearance for the opening night.

Although daring outfits have been scarce,
There have definitely been some “outfits with enormous volume,”
Including outfits sported by Heidi Klum, Chinese actor Wan QianHui, and others. Berry adhered to the guidelines for the finale, whereas fellow judge Alba Rohrwacher chose a look featuring a voluminous pink skirt, which set her apart from her peers.

What could Cannes criticize next?

Individuals dressed in bird costumes were present on the carpet, similar to what occurred previously.
A person costumed as a massive avian creature showed up.
At the debut of “Die, My Love.”

At least it didn’t unfold its wings in front of the cameras.

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To read more about the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, check out
https://apnews.com/hub/cannes-film-festival
.

The Associated Press