We’ve probably all seen the clip making the rounds on X– Kelly Rowland yelling at a female security on the exquisite steps of the Cannes Film Festival, but that was just the tip of the iceberg., the festival itself, which spans from May 14th to 25th, was filled with a lot more glamour, drama and scandals. The Cannes Film Festival isn’t usually just about movies – it’s more a spectacle where fashion, and film collide on the French Riviera. As the 77th edition unfurled, the rain-soaked red carpet became a runway for Hollywood’s biggest stars, while the screening rooms crackled with beautiful cinema and behind-the-scenes drama.
Fashion
The festival’s iconic red carpet saw a parade of showstopping looks. Supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, Carla Bruni, Winnie Harlow, Candice Swanepoel, Barbara Palvin, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Shanina Shaik turned heads in designer couture, ensuring all eyes were on them. Meanwhile, leading ladies like Anya Taylor-Joy, Cate Blanchett, Zoe Saldana, Salma Hayek, Alexa Chung, Eva Longoria, Emma Stone, Hunter Schafer, Demi Moore, Diane Kruger, Sienna Miller, Nicky Hilton, Nathalie Emmanuel, Greta Gerwig, and Selena Gomez, brought old Hollywood glamour to the Croisette in elegant gowns, while men like Sebastain Stan, Joe Alwyn and Chris Hemsworth stunned the carpet in the most dapper, colourful suits.
Films
While fashion stole the spotlight, Cannes delivered a stellar lineup of films. George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” revved onto the scene, with Anya Taylor-Joy embodying the titular role with ferocity. Andrea Arnold’s “Bird” soared as a sensitive exploration of neurodiversity, while Magnus von Horn’s haunting “The Girl With the Needle” left audiences shaken with its gut-punch revelations. “Wild Diamond,” a debut film by Agathe Riedinger, is a contender for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s highest honour. This social-realist drama tackles celebrity culture but has been criticised for being heavy-handed and inauthentic.
Feuds
But it wouldn’t be Cannes without a touch of drama. Singer-actor Kelly Rowland found herself in a heated moment on the red carpet, appearing to scold a security guard who tried to block her from fans. The exchange was brief but tense, adding a hint of spice to the night.
While, behind-the-scenes the competition for a Palme d’Or (the biggest prize at Cannes!) fired on. Heading the jury is Barbie director Greta Gerwig, who is joined by stars including French actor Eva Green and Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone. While movies like The Apprentice, Megalopolis, Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light,” British director Andrea Arnold’s latest feature “Bird” Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos film,” Kinds of Kindness”, and, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, who was sentenced to eight years imprisonment last week for “collusion against national security” are all up for the award.
The Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, recently revealed that he had secretly escaped from Iran, days after receiving the sentence. Despite pressure from Iranian authorities to withdraw his film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” from Cannes. Rasoulof expressed gratitude to those who helped him escape on Instagram.
If that isn’t Cannes 2024 bringing the heat I don’t know what is
As the festival carried on, “with a youthful energy and renewed focus on female filmmakers taking center stage.” as jury president Iris Knobloch put it. Cannes 2024 really did have it all, From the high-octane action of “Furiosa: A Mad Max saga” to sizzling fashion statements and red carpet feuds: the world’s most glamorous cinema event remains a show to watch, year after year.
The festival will round off on May 25 with a final honorary award for “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, Meryl Streep and Studio Ghibli.
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Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo
