“Yes, the cinema is alive”, proclaimed the mistress of ceremonies Virginie Efira.
If France Télévisions has set up a new system to cover Cannes festivalthis year (details are to be read here), it all started as always with glamour. Beautiful stars walking the red carpet then climbing the steps of the Palais des Festival to reach the large halls in which will be screened a few minutes later Cut!, the comedy with zombies by Michel Hazanavicius. Before this expected opening film, Virginie Efira opened the festivities, putting glitter in the eyes of the audience with her silver dress and sparkling speech. “Yes, cinema is alive!”she proclaimed loud and clear before welcoming Forest Whitaker, who received an honorary Palme d’or. Then a musical break from Vincent Delermwho managed to blackmail “That I love you” to the spectators present in the halls, also punctuated this ceremony.
However, what will be remembered above all from this opening are the strong speeches of Vincent Lindonfirst of all, who spoke honestly about culture and cinema, then about Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, a country invaded by Russia, having been invited by satellite to discuss this conflict live. Important political and social messages, which remind us that the Cannes Film Festival is not just cinema, nor superficial entertainment.
The moving speech of Vincent Lindon, president of the Cannes Film Festival jury
Little best-of of this opening ceremony which should mark the history of the festival, while waiting to discover, on a daily basis on Premiere.frwhat awaits us in the context of this 75th edition.
Cannes 2022: Volodymyr Zelensky attacks Putin live during the opening ceremony
