Before even starting, Tuesday May 16, 2023, the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival was already making headlines. And for good reason: the film Jeanne du Barry directed by Maïwenn (who gave an interview to Tele-Leisure), starring Johnny Depp in the male lead, sparked outrage from many detractors. However, the event assumes this choice of programming and the highly anticipated opening ceremony is held at 7 p.m. live on France 2. The Palais des Festivals saw the jury for this ceremony arrive very early on the Croisette which rewards the most beautiful cinematographic works. Maryam Touzani, Denis Ménochet, Rungano Nyoni, Brie Larson, Paul Dano, Atiq Rahimi, Damián Szifron and Julia Ducournau sit on the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière, under the watchful eye of Ruben Östlund, president of the jury. While Chiara Mastroianni takes over from Virginie Efira as mistress of ceremonies.
>>> Discover the slideshow of the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival 2023
The continuation under this advertisement
Élodie Fontan, Anaïs Demoustier, Daphné Bürki… the stars on the red carpet
A few hours before the start of the ceremony, the nine talents responsible for awarding the ultimate prize to one of the 21 films in the running lent themselves to the game of photographers. Michael Douglas, Honorary Palme d’Or for this editionalso walked the Croisette ahead of the long-awaited climb of the steps. “It’s always a breath of fresh air to come to Cannes which, for a long time, has been a wonderful place to welcome creators, artistic audacity and beautiful stories. (…) After more than 50 years career, it is an honor to return to the Croisette to open the Festival and speak our common language, that of cinema”, said the one who made the trip to be rewarded for his entire career. Accompanied by his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones and their daughter, Carys Zeta Douglas, they walked the red carpet as a family. Many celebrities preceded them on the steps, posing for the photographers. Mads Mikkelsen, Élodie Fontan, Anaïs Demoustier, Daphné Bürki, or even Xavier Dolan paraded one after the other, as did Helen Mirren, who arrived all dressed in blue (up to her hair!). Uma Thurman, known for her role in the inevitable Kill Billmeanwhile, lent herself to the game alongside her son Levon Roan. The flashes focused for a time on Catherine Deneuve, muse of this edition of the Festival, sparkling in a midnight blue dress. It is a photo of her, taken on the Côte d’Azur in 1968, which sits at the top of the steps, paying homage to one of the most talented French actresses of her generation.
The continuation under this advertisement
The arrival with fanfare of Johnny Depp and the actors of Jeanne du Barry
To thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd, Johnny Depp got out of his car, hidden behind sunglasses. Despite the controversy, the fans present around the Palais des Festivals welcomed him with jubilation, signs in hand, while he agreed to sign autographs and smile on selfies. The actor, revealed by his role in Cry-Baby in 1990 has since scoured the genres in Hollywood by taking turns in Donnie Brasco (1997), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and the saga Pirates of the Caribbean. Away from film sets since 2020 following allegations of domestic violence, he is making a comeback under the direction of Maïwenn in Jeanne du Barry. The film, in theaters on May 16, 2023, has been chosen to be presented at the opening of the Festival. It was therefore its five-star cast that had the honor of closing the ascent of the steps. Arrived at the sound of Should I stay or should I go of the Clash, the actors held hands to pose in front of the army of photographers and their cameras pointed in front of them. Pierre Richard, India Hair, Diego Le Fur (son of Maïwenn), Melvil Poupaud, Pascal Greggory, Pauline Pollmann, Benjamin Lavernhe, Johnny Depp and Maïwenn then climbed the steps and entered the Grand Théâtre to see the long-awaited film broadcast.
The continuation under this advertisement
