Thierry Fr\u00e9maux, the Delegate G\u00e9n\u00e9ral of the Cannes Film Festival, is found propping up the Majestic Beach\u2019s main bar. The ambiance is electric, with victors being honored after what has been deemed a strong selection process. I boldly ponder about his potential retirement.<\/p>\n
Fr\u00e9maux chuckles softly, \u201cI don\u2019t know. In France, the social contract is something different.\u201d He adds, \u201cEven if I\u2019m fired, I stay,\u201d finishing with a touch of defiance.<\/p>\n
With a laugh, he playfully turns the question back to me, teasingly asking when I plan to retire. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to retire,\u201d he says, affectionately patting my arm. \u201cStay with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fr\u00e9maux recalls his first visit to Cannes in 1979. He drove from Lyon in a truck and spent the entire festival on the Croisette without watching a single film. \u201cI couldn\u2019t attend any screenings. Every night, I went back to the highway and slept in the car at a gas station.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the nostalgia, he shares that as the early hours of Sunday dawn, he plans to \u201cpick up my car at the Carlton and return to Lyon, feeling like I was 19 again.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continues, \u201cIt\u2019s in my tradition to come by car. We need to feel \u2013 not forever young, but something close to that. In the screening room, there is no age; everyone is simply a lover of cinema.\u201d<\/p>\n
We both marvel at the impressive diversity of the award winners, which includes Jafar Panahi, who received the prestigious Palme d\u2019Or for It Was Just An Accident<\/em>, and Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, who took home the Grand Prix for Sentimental Value<\/em>. The list extends to Oliver Laxe, whose film Sir\u00e2t<\/em> was awarded the joint Jury Prize alongside Berlin-born Mascha Schilinski, director of Sound of Falling<\/em>. Notably, Nigerian-born Akinola Davies Jr. also received a Special Mention from the Cam\u00e9ra d\u2019Or jury for My Father\u2019s Shadow<\/em>, presented in Un Certain Regard.<\/p>\n During the festivities, Nadia Melliti, a French-Algerian actress, was awarded Best Actress for her captivating performance in Hafsia Herzi\u2019s The Little Sister<\/em>. This story, exploring a young woman’s self-discovery, resonated deeply with audiences. Interestingly, Melliti shares that she was discovered by Herzi\u2019s casting director while “walking along the street,” having no prior acting experience, only coming from a background in sports.<\/p>\n While discussing the representation at Cannes, I express my frustrations to Fr\u00e9maux regarding the perception that Cannes\u2014or cinema at large\u2014represents only a Western narrative. \u201cCannes represents the entire world, not just Hollywood and its flashy productions.\u201d<\/p>\n Fr\u00e9maux nods in agreement, emphasizing that since Cannes’s inception, it has aimed to be “universal.” He recalls John Ford\u2019s famous words: \u201cBe local, you will be universal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCannes is not just a French film festival,\u201d he asserts. \u201cIts official name is Festival International du Film. It\u2019s an international event hosted in France.\u201d He highlighted the inclusion of Nigerian films in this year\u2019s selections, marking a significant milestone for representation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have films from the Czech Republic, Iran\u2026 It\u2019s crucial for us that Cannes remains a journey of discovery,\u201d he elaborates. \u201cWhat used to be \u2018Asian cinema\u2019 was merely synonymous with Japan. Now, we celebrate the creativity from Korea, China, Singapore, and now, Africa\u2014beyond just the former French colonies.\u201d<\/p>\n Fr\u00e9maux is aware of my thoughts on the current American cinematic landscape, particularly with political tensions at play. However, he counters my inquiry eloquently. \u201cIn cinema, there are no borders. The language is universal, emotion transcends all barriers\u2014be it geographical or cultural.\u201d<\/p>\n With this sentiment in mind, I ponder if others will agree that Ari Aster\u2019s Eddington<\/em> reflects a poignant narrative about America’s decline.<\/p>\n As the night progresses, I find myself engaged in conversation with Renate Reinsve, who shines in Trier\u2019s Sentimental Value<\/em>. She shares that filming for her upcoming project with Alexander Payne, titled Somewhere Out There<\/em>, is set to commence in February in locations across Denmark and Ireland.<\/p>\n In the movie, Stellan Skarsg\u00e5rd plays her father, a film director. I can’t help but compare her character to Lear, though without the descent into madness.<\/p>\n Later, I make a brief connection with Elle Fanning, who also stands out in Sentimental Value<\/em> and in James Mangold\u2019s A Complete Unknown<\/em>. Fanning elucidates how her recent transition from a film in New Zealand to a beach scene with Skarsg\u00e5rd adds layers of complexity to her character.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s festival atmosphere was charged with emotions and connections among filmmakers. Akinola Davies Jr. displayed a remarkable commitment to his agent Roxana Adle, who played a crucial role in his success. Between celebrations, he shared a sense of pride when his name was called at the ceremony, and even wore a nod of solemnity for his brother Wale, absent from the festivities.<\/p>\n \u201cTo get to me, they\u2019ll have to go through Roxana,\u201d he noted, ensuring his dedicated support system remained intact. He recounted the funny incident of scrambling back to Cannes after receiving the award notification while he was hiking in Marseilles, still dressed casually.<\/p>\n Finally, as I bid farewell, I witness Jafar Panahi quietly absorbing the applause from the crowd, noting that his Palme d\u2019Or win had evoked tears from Cate Blanchett.<\/p>\n With the night wrapping up, the dance floor becomes a tapestry of joy, encapsulating the spirit Fr\u00e9maux described\u2014a world united in celebration through cinema.<\/p>\nCelebrating Emerging Talents<\/h2>\n
A Global Cinematic Platform<\/h2>\n
Cinematic Emotions and Borders<\/h2>\n
Collaboration and New Beginnings<\/h2>\n
Festive Surroundings and Unforgettable Moments<\/h2>\n