Cannes Highlights: De Niro Wins Palme d’Or, Trump Faces Backlash, and Nudity Banned – What You Need to Know!

The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 13, 2025, along the glamorous French Riviera. This year, there’s a new dress code aimed at ensuring a more modest appearance on the red carpet. Guests cannot wear very revealing outfits or those with large trains, as these can obstruct the flow of traffic and seating.

Halle Berry, a member of the festival jury, expressed surprise at the dress code. She had to swap her planned outfit because it didn’t comply with the new rules. She commented, “The nudity part is probably a good rule.”

Notably, the festival began only a week after President Trump proposed a 100% tariff on foreign films. This has left many in the film industry anxious about its potential impact. Iris Knobloch, the festival president, remarked, “It’s too early to gauge the potential impact, but I hope this doesn’t hinder the global film industry, which is still recovering from various challenges, including the pandemic and recent wildfires.”

During the opening ceremony, actor Leonardo DiCaprio honored Robert De Niro with the prestigious Palme d’Or award. De Niro, in his acceptance speech, criticized Trump, dubbing him “an enemy of the arts.” He expressed concern over the implications of the proposed tariff, stating, “You can’t put a price on creativity.”

In addition to the glitz and glamour, the festival faced protests from a collective called Sous les écrans la dèche. This group seeks improved working conditions for freelance workers in the film industry, highlighting ongoing employment issues.

The festival also opened with a tribute to Ukraine and premiered Amélie Bonnin’s romantic film, Leave One Day. One notable absence from the event was Gérard Depardieu, who is currently dealing with legal fallout from a recent sexual assault conviction.

As the festival unfolds, it’s clear that beyond the celebration of films, there are critical conversations about creativity, commerce, and the future of the film industry in the face of new challenges.

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