One day before the the 78th Cannes Film Festival commenced on 13 May 2025, its artistic director, Thierry Frémaux, insisted that the event only becomes “political when the artists are political.” Less than 24-hours later his statement was confirmed during an opening ceremony that transcended cinematic celebration, becoming a platform for political expression and artistic solidarity. Held at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, the event was marked by impassioned speeches, a star-studded jury, and a clear message: art stands as a bulwark against authoritarianism and global unrest.

The political tone was set early on in the evening when French actress Juliette Binoche was introduced as this year’s jury president. Her serious, yet reflective, comments addressed global conflicts and the role of cinema in times of crisis. She paid tribute to 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, killed in Gaza, and read a poem in her honor. Hassouna is the subject of the film “Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk,” a documentary about the military conflict in Gaza which appearing in the Acid sidebar in Cannes. She learned that the film had been accepted a day before her death. “She should have been here with us tonight,” Binoche said before also referencing Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza., emphasizing the festival’s commitment to empathy and transformation through art. “In every region of the world, artists are fighting every day and make resistance into art.”

Binoche heads an international jury that includes American actress Halle Berry, American actor Jeremy Strong, South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo, Italian-German actress Alba Rohrwacher, Congolese documentarian Dieudo Hamadi, Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani, and Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas.

The evening’s highlight, and a real headline grabber, was the presentation of an honorary Palme d’Or award to actor Robert De Niro by his sometimes co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio lauded De Niro as “the archetype actor” that he had looked up to since he was very young. He also praised him as a steadfast defender of democracy.

In his acceptance speech, De Niro did not mince words, directing sharp criticism at United States President Donald Trump, as everyone expected he might. De Niro eloquently condemned the administration’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign films and cuts to arts and education funding, labeling Trump a “philistine president,” which quickly became the pull quote from the ceremony.

“Art is the truth. Art embraces diversity. And that’s why art is a threat to the autocrats and the fascists of the world,” De Niro declared, urging global resistance against such policies. This sentiment coursed through the evening, underscoring Cannes’ role as a film festival that acts as a forum for cultural and political debate, a fact that is often raised during the events opening and closing ceremonies.

Speaking of debates, with few if any films having yet been screened, the international media was left to expound on the stricter red carpet attire policy set up by the festival this year. Hoping to maintain some sense of decorum and practicality, Cannes has banned nudity and excessively voluminous outfits. These are two rules which almost exclusively apply to women, many of whom wear haute couture brands to be photographed by the throngs of paparazzi for which Cannes is famous.

The ceremony concluded with the premiere of “Partir Un Jour” (“Leave One Day”), a romantic musical by French director Amélie Bonnin. Starring Juliette Armanet, the film marks the first time a debut feature has opened the festival.