The 77th Cannes Film Festival has wrapped up, and as the red carpet is rolled away, it’s time to reflect on the key talking points and takeaways from this year’s edition. The festival delivered memorable moments on and off-screen, providing plenty of material for discussion.
#MeToo Scandals and Politics Take a Backseat
This year’s festival was expected to be one of the most politically charged editions yet, with threatened strikes and rumored #MeToo accusations. However, the result was relatively muted. Coralie Fargeat, in her acceptance speech for Best Screenplay for The Substance, emphasized, “The revolution is an ongoing thing, and it’s a brick-by-brick affair.” There were subtle and overt statements regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but overall, real-life atrocities were kept out of the Cannes bubble this year.
A Merited Win?
Sean Baker’s Anora won the Palme d’Or, making him the first American director to win since 2011. Baker dedicated the award to sex workers: “The future of cinema is where it started: in a movie theatre.” However, some felt Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig should have taken the Palme for its powerful political message. Rasoulof’s presence at the festival was one of its most emotional and empowering moments.
The Double Success of Emilia Pérez
Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, a Mexico-set gangster trans musical, was a triumph. Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz shared the Best Actress award as an ensemble cast. Gascón became the first trans performer to win at Cannes. The film also won the Jury Prize, a rare feat in Cannes history.
Trump Crashes the Party
Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, chronicling Donald Trump’s rise, caused quite a stir. Scenes depicting Trump in controversial moments have led to threats of legal action from Trump’s team. Abbasi aimed “to do a punk rock version of a historical movie,” which proved too much for the MAGA crowd.
Nudity is Back
This year saw a significant amount of nudity on screen, with films like Kinds of Kindness and The Substance featuring explicit content. However, these depictions served the narratives and themes well, avoiding gratuitousness.
Less is More
Many films at Cannes could have benefited from tighter editing. From Furiosa to The Substance, a common critique was that they needed to trim their running times for a more impactful viewing experience.
Bury the Titans?
Many established directors were featured this year, but their films often disappointed. Including these “old masters” in the Competition was a missed opportunity to showcase more diverse voices, particularly female directors.
No One Can Resist Yórgos
Yórgos Lánthimos continued his winning streak with Kinds of Kindness, which earned Jesse Plemons the Best Actor award. Every film Lánthimos has submitted to Cannes or Venice has won a prize, solidifying his status as a festival favorite.
NEON – Five for Five
The indie movie outfit NEON continued its impressive track record, securing rights to Anora and other significant films. Their success in predicting Palme d’Or winners cements their reputation as industry soothsayers.
Ticketing Progress
Cannes’s ticketing system worked smoothly this year, significantly improving from last year’s chaos. The online booking system allowed attendees to secure their spots in screenings without hassle, showing that Cannes listened to previous criticisms.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival delivered a mix of political statements, cinematic triumphs, and memorable moments. From Sean Baker’s deserved win to the controversies stirred by The Apprentice, this year’s festival showcased both talent and topical issues. As always, Cannes remains a pivotal event in the film industry, continually evolving while celebrating the art of cinema.
