The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened last week, Tuesday, May 12 to standing ovations, emotional tributes, and political commentary as the world’s most prestigious film festival returned to the French Riviera.
Although Cannes is traditionally associated with luxury fashion, celebrity appearances, and high-profile premieres, this year’s opening ceremony reflected a global film industry increasingly shaped by war, activism, and debates around artistic freedom.
Over the next 12 days, filmmakers, actors, and studios from across the world will compete for the coveted Palme d’Or, one of cinema’s highest honours.
From its opening night, however, Cannes signalled that politics and global unrest would remain central to the festival’s conversations.
Acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson was among the evening’s biggest honourees after receiving an honorary Palme d’Or for his contribution to international cinema.
The award was presented by Elijah Wood, whose role as Frodo Baggins in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy helped transform the fantasy franchise into a global cultural phenomenon.
Jackson appeared both surprised and amused by the recognition as he addressed the audience inside the Palais des Festivals.
“I’ve never figured out why I’m getting a Palme d’Or. I’m not a Palme d’Or sort of guy,” he said.
The tribute ended with a performance of The Beatles’ “Get Back,” a reference to Jackson’s acclaimed documentary project, built from archival footage of the legendary British band.
Veteran actress Jane Fonda officially declared the festival open alongside Chinese-Singaporean actress Gong Li.
Fonda used her speech to reflect on the role of cinema during periods of political instability and social upheaval, arguing that film has historically challenged injustice and authoritarianism.
“Cinema has always been an act of resistance,” she said.
During the jury press conference, Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty delivered some of the strongest political remarks of the evening by criticising what he described as silence within parts of Hollywood over the ongoing war in Gaza.
For South African audiences, these discussions carry particular relevance because South Africa has remained one of the most vocal international critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
This year’s Cannes jury president, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, addressed the relationship between politics and cinema directly during the press conference.
Park, internationally recognised for Oldboy, argued that films should not be separated from political realities because art has always reflected the social conditions of its time.
“Art and politics are not concepts that are in conflict with each other,” he said.
The jury also includes Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, actress Ruth Negga, and Hollywood star Demi Moore.
Critics have frequently argued that Cannes options artistic legacy above public controversy, while supporters maintain that the festival remains committed to separating art from personal scandal.
The evening concluded with Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro presenting a restored 4K screening of his acclaimed fantasy drama Pan’s Labyrinth, nearly 20 years after the film first premiered at Cannes.
Del Toro said the film’s themes of authoritarianism and resistance remain relevant in today’s political climate and warned against complacency during periods of rising global instability.
“We are, unfortunately, in times that make this movie more pertinent than ever,” he said.
The festival is already proving that cinema remains deeply connected to global politics, cultural identity, and public debate
For audiences around the world, including South Africa, the opening night demonstrated that modern film festivals are no longer only about entertainment, but also about the social and political conversations shaping contemporary society.
IOL
