Robert De Niro accepted the honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes on May 13 and used his platform to condemn the Trump administration’s proposed 100 percent tariff on foreign films. Leonardo DiCaprio, who presented the award and credited De Niro with launching his career during the “This Boy’s Life” audition, praised him for treating acting as a “physical transformation.” After DiCaprio’s introduction and a cheek kiss, De Niro addressed the audience.
“In my country, we’re fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” he said. “Art brings people together and seeks truth. That’s why it’s a threat to fascists.” Turning to the tariff, he added, “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it. This move is unacceptable. These attacks affect everyone who values liberty. We must organize, vote and celebrate artistic expression.”
Festival director Thierry Frémaux mixed Hollywood icons with emerging filmmakers during the ceremony. Juliette Binoche, president of the competition jury, joined her fellow jurors onstage in a white caped pantsuit, while Quentin Tarantino bounded down the Palais des Festivals steps to officially open the event. Tributes were paid to the late David Lynch, featuring a musical performance by his longtime collaborator, Chrystabell.
Cannes upheld its tradition of showcasing a French film on opening night by premiering Amélie Bonnin’s debut feature, the jukebox musical comedy Leave One Day. The movie screened simultaneously in cinemas nationwide and on Canal+, marking Bonnin as the third woman ever to open the festival. Frémaux highlighted that this year’s competition includes seven women directors, equaling the festival’s record.
After the screening, guests boarded buses for a gala dinner at the Palm Beach Casino. DiCaprio dined beside his mentor, while critics’ week nominee Sean Baker celebrated his entry, Left-Handed Girl. Executives from Sony Pictures and Searchlight Pictures mingled with directors such as Ari Aster, underscoring Cannes’s role as both a cultural gathering and industry hub.
Looking ahead, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning will world-premiere on Wednesday in both the main auditorium and the IMAX-equipped Cineum, reaffirming the festival’s blend of blockbuster premieres and art-house selections.
