See iconic moments in the history of the Cannes Film Festival

O Cannes film festival, popularly called the “cinema festival”, has been taking place since 1946. From the creation of the Palme d'Or to the landmark protest in May 1968, the event has been the stage for iconic moments that have left an indelible mark on the history of cinema. This year, the 77th edition of the festival is being celebrated, which brings exciting premieres of cinematographic works, including representatives of Brazilian cinema. To celebrate another successful edition, let's remember some of the most memorable moments that shaped the trajectory of Canes.

Explaining the Festival

O Cannes film festival is a renowned film festival that has taken place annually since 1946. The event, which can last from 10 to 15 days, depending on the year, shows a wide selection of films and holds several awards. Created by Jean Zay, then Minister of Public Instruction and 'Belas Artes' from France, the event was originally called International Film Festival. In 2002, it was renamed the Cannes Festival in honor of the city that hosts it.

Contrary to popular belief, the main objective of Cannes film festival It's not just about holding competitions and distributing prizes, but also promoting debates about cinema, understanding global trends and encouraging the exchange of experiences in the cinematic world.

A striking feature of the event is its democratic nature, receiving film submissions from all over the world. After the reception process, a team of experts evaluates and selects the works that will be displayed. Unlike the Oscar, which tends to predominantly value North American cinematography, the Cannes film festival offers a more inclusive platform for international filmmakers.

Screenings during the festival are organized into several sections: Competition, Um Certain Regard, Directors' Fortnight, Critics' Week and Cinéfondation. Each of these sections has its own categories and awards. The most prestigious award at the event is the palm d'or, awarded to the best film in the main competition. In addition to renowned productions, the festival also showcases works by film students.

O Cannes film festival It is known for its glamorous red carpet, 60 meters long and with 24 steps, where big names from world cinema and other celebrities parade. It is important to highlight that this is the most publicized cultural event globally, moving France and attracting the attention of cinema enthusiasts from all over the world during its duration.

Date of the Cannes Film Festival in 2024

O Cannes 2024 started in May 14 and will extend to May 25. Among this year's most anticipated releases are Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the new work by Francis Ford Coppola. Other featured films at the event include Motel DestinoDirected by Karim Ainouz, and the Brazilian film Toddler, Marcelo Caetano, known for Electric Body (2017).

This year, a historic moment has already marked the Cannes film festival. This Wednesday, the 15th, the cast of the film Furious was applauded after the work was shown at the French event, leaving the protagonist Anya Taylor-Joy visibly moved.

'FURIOSA' garnered a 7-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. pic.twitter.com/kkjJf8vA67

—kinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) May 15, 2024

iconic moments

After 77 editions of Cannes film festival, the red carpet has been the scene of many historic moments. Therefore, we selected the most iconic in the history of the cinema festival.

Cate Blanchett and the #MeToo protest

In 2018, Cate Blanchett, who presided over the jury of the official competition of Cannes film festival, together with the French filmmaker Agnès Varda, read a manifesto demanding “real equality and diversity in jobs”. The protest was attended by 82 influential women in cinema, including Salma Hayek, Claudia Cardinale, Marion Cotillard, Kristen Stewart e Jane Fonda.

The red carpet protest was held to demand equal pay for women. The group called on all institutional sectors to work to achieve parity and transparency in decision-making, and called on governments to enforce equal pay laws. This demonstration became a historic initiative at the largest film festival in the world.

Ewan McGregor on a motorcycle at the premiere of 'Quick Revenge'

Ewan McGregor was present among celebrities in Cannes in 2010, arriving on a motorbike at the film premiere Quick revenge. The actor, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, has traveled to Latin America exploring the world on two wheels.

Angelina Jolie pregnant with twins at the 2008 festival

In 2008, Angelina Jolie shined at the event when promoting the film Kung Fu Panda. Wearing a green designer dress Max azria, the actress appeared pregnant with twins Vivienne e Knox. Beside her was Brad Pitt, his partner at the time.

The opening of the 70th edition marked by a kiss

In 2017, during the 70th edition of the event, the actress Monica Bellucci, who acted as master of ceremonies, starred in one of the best moments at Cannes. In a joke, Monica demonstrated her seduction skills during the opening ceremony by surprising the audience with a fake kiss on her co-host, the French comedian Alex Lutz.

Julia Roberts walks the red carpet barefoot

In the 69th edition of Cannes film festival, the renowned actress Julia Roberts surprised everyone by appearing barefoot at the film premiere Money Game, in which he starred alongside George Clooney. In addition to not hiding her lack of shoes, Roberts even lifted part of her designer dress while climbing the stairs, revealing her bare feet.

It is important to highlight that the actress's surprise occurred a year after the festival banned the entry of a group of women who were not wearing high heels at the premiere of Carol (2015). According to information later released on the website Screen Daily, these women had health problems.

The organization did not comment on the case, but stated that the use of high heels by guests on the red carpet was mandatory. However, Julia Roberts managed to get around the rule with a simple strategy: she arrived on the red carpet wearing heels and, when heading to the stairs that took the artists to the film screening room, she chose to go barefoot.

The creation of the Palme d'Or in 1955

In 1955, the palm d'or, the famous award from Cannes film festival, which has established itself as one of the most prestigious in world cinema. The history of this trophy is intriguing, as it has undergone several transformations over time, including a decade-long period of disappearance.

From 1946 to 1955, the prize awarded was known as the “Grand Prize”, consisting of an art painting presented to the winners. It was only in 1955 that the iconic Palme d'Or trophy was introduced as the official symbol of the award.

May 68: When Cannes stopped

The year 1968 was marked by one of the biggest controversies in Cannes . In May, the festival was abruptly interrupted, something unprecedented in the event's history until then. It all started on May 13th, when the filmmakers François Truffaut e Claude Lelouch they arrived at the 21st edition of the cinema festival with the aim of promoting the spirit of revolt that was taking over Paris at that time.

Driven by this initiative, the directors louis malle, Roman Polanski and the actress Monica Vitti, members of the event's jury that year, announced their adherence to the protest on the 15th. Later, filmmakers such as Milos Forman, Carlos Saura e Alain Resnais, who were competing for the award, withdrew their films from the competition, thus formalizing the boycott.

Consequently, the Palace of Festivals, headquarters of Cannes , became a stage for political speeches and a meeting point for activists. On May 19, during the closing ceremony, the organizers announced the end of the competition.

Palme d'Or awarded to Fahrenheit 9/11

In 2004, Michael Moore starred in one of the historic moments of Cannes with the documentary Fahrenheit 9 / 11, for which he was awarded the Palme d'Or. The work of the renowned American documentary filmmaker offered a scathing critique of the White House's role in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It is worth noting that this was the first documentary to receive the trophy since The Silent World, Jacques CousteauIn 1956.

Madonna sets fashion with her cone-shaped bra

Madonna became an icon fashion as she debuted her iconic pointy bra. In Cannes , she showed off her cone-shaped bra during the premiere of In Bed with Madonna, documentary that accompanied his tour Blonde Ambition.

In 1991, when the film became the most profitable production of the time, everyone was talking about it. The work showed behind the scenes of the singer's grand shows, which conveyed a message of sexual liberation, causing discomfort among conservatives at the time.

Sacha Baron Cohen with the green mankini

Among the best moments of Cannes , the appearance of the actor Sacha Baron Cohen, protagonist of Borat, certainly stood out. During the event, he surprised everyone by wearing an extremely daring green swimsuit.

Lars Von Trier displeases the public with “Antichrist”

The Danish director Lars von Trier is known for his ability to convey intense images and feelings, delving into themes of madness and lack of control. In the movie Antichrist, presented at the Cannes Festival, these elements are explored in a remarkable way. From an initial scene of explicit sex to the progression of the plot, where tragedy contrasts with love in beautiful foregrounds, the film captivates with its intensity.

At the event, the director revealed that the film came about after a period of deep depression, declaring it his best work. This shows that the controversies surrounding his films are an integral part of his marketing.

I make films for myself, and you are just my guests.

von Trier declared to critics of Antichrist at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

The impact of independent cinema on Cannes

In 1989 the Cannes film festival opened its doors to independent cinema with the film Sex, Lies and Videotape, Steven Soderbergh. This pioneering work paved the way for the inclusion of other independent productions in the event, expanding the scope of the festival.

Shark Tale actors arrive at the event in shark

The film Shark Tale is an animation starring Angelina Jolie, Will Smith e Jack Black, which chronicles the journey of a fish with great aspirations who becomes an unwitting hero. To promote the work in 2004, the stars made history in Cannes film festival upon arriving in an inflatable shark.

Bella Hadid's dress in 2021

In 2021, during the cinema party, the model Bella Hadid drew attention for her choice of look for the red carpet. She opted for a dress Schiaparelli accompanied by a golden brass necklace, whose design was inspired by human lungs.

Diana Ross received with praise at Cannes in 1973

The singer Diana Ross marked one of the best moments of Cannes in 1973, when she was warmly welcomed upon arriving in the city to participate in the festival, where she would perform one of her beautiful songs.

Royalty at Cannes: Princess Diana in 1987

Diana Ross was not the only Diana to be emotionally received at Cannes , Because the Princess Diana was also present at the 1987 edition. On the red carpet in La Croisette, alongside her husband, the Prince charles, and the Mayor and Vice-Mayor of the event, she dazzled in a dress that would become legendary in the history of fashion.

The diaphanous ice blue tulle dress, designed by her collaborator Catherine Walker, featured an elegant bow tied at the back. To complement the look, the princess chose a pair of baby blue shoes and diamond adornments. However, what many don't know is that the dress required meticulous preparation, as her design was inspired by the character. Frances Stevens, Played by Grace Kelly, in the film Alfred Hitchcock Coat Thief.

Shrek 2: The presence of the ogre in the 2004 premiere

The film Shrek 2 is an American animation that debuted in 2004 on Cannes film festival, continuing the story of the first film. The voices of the characters Shrek, Donkey and Fiona were dubbed, respectively, by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy e Cameron Diaz. To celebrate the debut, even the ogre himself was present at the event.

Ryan Gosling starring in scandal

In 2011, Ryan Gosling was present in Cannes for the premiere of Drive, the film in which he starred. However, it was his appearance smoking marijuana that caught attention during the event.

Jason Derulo becomes a social media sensation in 2011

During the Cannes film festival In 2011, an image of a man falling on the red carpet and being supported by other people went viral on social media. This generated a great deal of controversy: Jason Derulo the protagonist of the fall? After the internet went into an uproar, it was confirmed that the man in the image was not the actor.

Natalie Portman debuting with a shaved head at the 2005 Festival

In 2005, Natalie Portman had to shave his head to interpret Evey em v for Vendetta, a film that portrays a dystopian society in the near future. The first images of the actress without hair were revealed during the Cannes film festival.

Throughout its remarkable and multifaceted history, the Cannes film festival has risen as the undisputed epicenter of the world of cinema, offering fertile ground for innovation, debate and reflection on art and its influences. As the 77th edition unfolds, we eagerly await the new works that will be presented.

As we witness yet another milestone in cinematic history, share with us in the comments the unforgettable moments of Cannes that touched you and shaped your passion for cinema!

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Sources: Times, The country, Twitter

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim