Stars and glamour. As every spring, the seventh art was invited Tuesday evening on the Croisette with the launch of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the most anticipated event for amateurs and professionals of cinema.
Red carpet, first climbs of the steps, stars galore, memorable speeches, first tears... everything was at the rendezvous during this opening ceremony hosted by Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve's daughter. The editorial staff of Le Parisien has selected the 5 highlights that marked the ceremony.
See alsoCannes Film Festival 2023: when Chiara Mastroianni welcomes on stage... Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve and Chiara Mastroianni, mother-daughter duo
Mistress of ceremonies, Chiara Mastroianni split a very beautiful speech at the opening of the ceremony by recalling that cinema "belongs to life" and that it is "sometimes its mirror". The Cannes Film Festival had a unique moment when the mistress of ceremonies invited her mother, Catherine Deneuve, to join her on stage. The film icon marked the opening ceremony by paying tribute to Ukraine with a poem by Lessia Ukrainka, which she concluded: "I no longer have happiness or freedom. Only one hope remained for me: to return one day to my beautiful Ukraine."
Chiara Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve - a daughter and her mother - on stage at the Palais des Festivals. The Cannes Film Festival starts in a sublime ❤️ way pic.twitter.com/iQXOrVDKgf
— val 17 (@romysdnve) May 16, 2023
7-minute ovation for Johnny Depp
The arrival of Johnny Depp on the red carpet was very noticed. On the poster of "Jeanne de Barry", a film by Maïwenn presented in preview, the American actor was eagerly awaited by festival-goers. Ovation upon his arrival alongside Maïwenn, the actor accused of violence by his ex-girlfriend Amber Heard received a standing ovation of 7 minutes after the screening of his new film. On the verge of tears, Johnny Depp appeared very moved on the images shared by the American media Variety.
Johnny Depp is teary-eyed as "Jeanne du Barry" receives a seven-minute standing ovation following its premiere at #Cannes2023. https://t.co/vCSwNkhYVL pic.twitter.com/NAigHMBwny
— Variety (@Variety) May 16, 2023
Tears for Maïwenn
Just like Johnny Depp, the 7-minute standing ovation following the screening of "Jeanne de Barry" did not leave Maïwenn insensitive. And like many other celebrities present at this opening night, the actress-director was caught up by emotion by shedding a few tears after the presentation of her sixth film. Despite the controversies, this feature film that marks the great return to the screen of Johnny Depp has pleased a very large part of the room.
The emotion of Maïwenn after 5 minutes of standing ovation @Festival_Cannes. Jeanne du Barry is a magnificent film. pic.twitter.com/xORF6fCfUh
— Caroline Bindel (@CaroBindel) May 16, 2023
The emotion of Michael Douglas
The "titan of cinema" that is Michael Douglas was honored. The Wall Street actor was awarded the first distinction of this Cannes Film Festival by receiving from the hands of Uma Thurman the Palme d'Or of honor, to salute his 55 years of career. Also moved to tears, the American actor recalled that "cinema does more than remind us of the positive" and shows that it "can transcend differences and unite human beings". "I'm older than the Festival," the 78-year-old actor also joked.
"I'm even older than the festival!"
The speech of the great actor Michael Douglas, 78 years old, before receiving his Palme d'or of honor.
👉 #Cannes2023 https://t.co/hJ5wQRA9v1 pic.twitter.com/3vYH2CddaW
— France 2 (@France2tv) May 16, 2023
"Stand by Me" by Gabriels
This opening ceremony was decidedly placed under the sign of emotion. Gospel singer Gabriels delivered a magnificent interpretation of Stand by Me (Editor's note: performed in 1962 by Ben E. King), in front of a Palais des Festivals captivated by his performance where many guests shed a tear. The Californian blues band formed in 2016 also received a standing ovation from the stars of the Cannes venue.
Well, yes, we cried. 🥲 @___gabriels performs "Stand by me" on the stage of the Palais des Festivals.
DIRECT ▶ https://t.co/z3ky3cP6hq#Cannes2023 pic.twitter.com/x4VBXyjV2h
— france.tv cinema (@francetvcinema) May 16, 2023