Cannes 2024 – Honor femininity: a memorable opening evening with Meryl Streep
The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival started with great fanfare on May 14, 2024, marking the start of twelve days of cinema celebration in all its forms. Back on an opening evening as magical as rich in emotions, where every detail and each statement have contributed to making this event an unforgettable moment.
Cannes, faithful to its reputation, welcomed its visitors to an electric atmosphere, where the excitement of fans was mixed with the effervescence of the red carpet. In front of the Grand Théâtre Lumière and the Luxurious Hotels, the admirers crowded, in the hope of seeing their idols and capturing a moment of glamor and prestige.
This year, security has been reinforced, with the notable presence of the gendarmerie and even the army. A measure which, although necessary, testifies to the security challenges that the world faces. The question remains: is it an answer to an unstable international context or an early precaution? In any case, the commitment to guarantee the security of the event is indisputable.
The opening ceremony was led by French actress Camille Cottin, who shone with her charisma and elegance. His inaugural speech, imbued with poetry and emotion, transported the audience to the enchanting universe of the “Cannes vortex”. A parallel world in passion, dialogue and cultural diversity, and cinema reigns supreme.
Camille Cottin said: ” You may not know it but you are about to enter a parallel world called the Cannes vortex. We see movies all day, and we discuss it all night. Besides, nobody speaks the same language, and yet everyone understands themselves. (…) Here, when you immerse yourself in darkness, it is to find the light there. It seems completely crazy, but the craziest is that it is true. It is not a parallel world, this world exists. This meeting there of moviegoers around the world, this meeting place, dialogues, debates and thoughts, cultures, amazing, it is here and now. In a moment when the state of the world worries us, even freezes the blood in places, where lines of deep fractures divide peoples, where the planet burns, where our collective intelligence could become artificial, such a place of reunion is a chance. Each year, in Cannes, we come to take a photo of our humanity, we come to fill up with hope … it’s infinitely beautiful. »»
But beyond the festivities, the evening was also an opportunity to take a position on crucial issues, such as the fight against sexual harassment in the film industry.
This is how Camille Cottin added: ” Ah yes I specify that the nocturnal professional meetings in the hotel rooms of the all-powerful gentlemen are no longer one of the Us and customs of the Cannes vortex, following the adoption of the #MeToo law and we congratulate itite. »»
These measures comply with all the initiatives taken by the festival in this direction. In addition to The screening of the short film Me too of Judith Godrèche tomorrow during the opening ceremony of the Un certain Locat section, The festival has set up a listening unit for all victims of harassment and reminded all accredited that such behaviors are not accepted in the event.
The presentation of the members of the jury, Composed of Ebru Ceylan, Lily Gladstone, Eva Green, Nadine Labaki, Juan Antonio Bayona, Pierfrancesco Favino, Kore-Eda Hirokazu and Omar Sy, and chaired by the eminent American director Greta Gerwig, was a solemn and prestigious moment. The personalities of the world of cinema combined to award the prices of the competition symbolized the excellence and the diversity of this edition.
A film retracing the career of Greta Gerwig has been screened, highlighting its meteoric rise in the world of cinema and aroused a palpable emotion. This young woman quickly became a large filmmaker, a fact that deserves to be greeted.
One of the most moving moments of the evening was The presentation of the palm of gold of honor to the cinema icon, Meryl Streep, Who appeared like a goddess, a queen, in an elegant and sober white dress. Under the nourished applause, the American actress was welcomed for her exceptional contribution to the seventh art. Meryl Streep is undoubtedly one of the best actresses of all time, which can embody all roles.
Addressing her with admiration, Juliette Binoche said to her: ” Your face and your voice are part of our lives. You gave us emotions. You made us grow. When I see you on the screen, it is not you that I see, it is a movement that goes through you. And that’s it, being an actor. But in reality, it’s more than that. It is a link that you create by your presence and which lets beauty come to you. What crosses you in an instant is intention, thought, energy, love, truth. Where does it all come from? Love? Did you born like this? What was your dream ? »»
Then crying, she added: ” You have changed the way we look at women in the world of cinema and you also helped us look differently. »»
Commenting on the film that traced his career, Meryl Streep said: ” For me, watching this clip is coming to view the window of a TGV. Drier like a flash of my youth in his fifties, until today. So many faces, so many places I remember so well. When I was in Cannes, 35 years ago, for the first time, I was already the mother of three children. I approached 40 years and I thought my career was over. At the time, for an actress, it was a reasonable forecast. The only reason I am here this evening is thanks to the wonderful artists with whom I worked, including Madame the President, Iris. (…) I thank everyone who participated and I thank the public who has not been bored to see my face for many years. Thank you for this honor. »»
Finally, it is with one voice that the two actresses declared open the 77th Cannes Festival!
The evening has extended with the screening of the opening film “The second act” of Quentin Dupieux, a quirky and intelligent comedy which aroused as many laughs as in reflections, thus offering a start of the festival at the height of expectations. With an exceptional distribution including Louis Garrel, Vincent Lindon, Léa Seydoux and Raphaël Quenard, the film explores the world of cinema while questioning the boundaries between reality and fiction. Each actor brilliantly appropriates cinematographic clichés, offering entertaining satire and a perceptive self-criticism. This choice of film turns out to be a perfect introduction to open the Cannes festival, captivating both the spirit and the imagination of the spectators.
Neïla Driss
