The 76th Festival de Cannes is open!

After reminding us that the Festival’s raison d’être since its founding in 1946 still remains elation and liberty, Chiara Mastroianni invited up beside her the Moroccan director Maryam Touzani, the French actor Denis Ménochet, the British-Zambian screenwriter and director Rungano Nyoni, the American actress and director Brie Larson, the American actor Paul Dano, the Afghan writer Atiq Rahimi, the Argentine director Damián Szifron and the French director Julia Ducournau, who make up the Feature Film jury presided over by the Swedish director Ruben Östlund.

“What makes cinema unique is watching films together, physically in the same room”, said the director of six films, two of which have already won the Palme d’or: The Square in 2017 and Triangle of Sadness in 2022.

The performance of “Stand by Me” by the Californian group Gabriels was quite moving for the members of the family of film present in Cannes this evening. The actress Uma Thurman then called to the stage the special guest of this 76^th edition: “The Honorary Palme d’or is attributed to those who have had a deep and lasting impact on cinema. I don’t see how anyone other than Michael Douglas could be more deserving. A unique titan, an eternal star and a radiant artist.”

The American actor and producer received the trophy and the honour with a standing ovation from the audience.

“After years of an epidemic and wars that are tearing the world apart, more than ever, this festival reminds us that there is something positive. Cinema underlines our commonalities, can transcend our limits and unite human beings. To Cannes and to France: I embrace you with all my heart.”

Finally, it was in tandem with the great Catherine Deneuve, to whom the Festival’s poster pays tribute this year, that the American star declared the 76^th edition open.

A happy festival to all!