A Cannes Film Festival light on Hollywood kicks off in France
AP News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The 79th Cannes Film Festival has commenced on the French Riviera, featuring 12 days of world premieres and culminating with the Palme d’Or award on May 23.
- The festival opens with the French period-comedy "The Electric Kiss" and honors director Peter Jackson with an honorary Palme d’Or, but Hollywood studio films are notably absent this year due to industry reshaping and high costs.
- Cannes continues to be a significant platform for Oscar contenders, with specialty distributor Neon backing over a quarter of the 22 films competing for the Palme d’Or, maintaining its strong Cannes-to-Oscars track record.
- The jury for the Palme d’Or, led by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, includes notable figures such as Demi Moore and Chloé Zhao, who will begin their film evaluations after a press conference.
- Despite fewer Hollywood blockbusters, the festival features appearances by major stars like Kristen Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Adam Driver, and Cate Blanchett, and coincides with the filming of HBO's "The White Lotus" season four on the Riviera.