Cannes 2016

Back in Cannes like she had done so many times before - all the way back to 1976 and Taxi Driver - Jodie Foster took the Palais by storm with her latest directorial project, Money Monster. Screening out of competition, the engaging, politically aware thriller - much in the vein of Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon, per Foster's own take- brought the usually jaded gala audience to their feet with several minutes of warm applause.

The first time Jodie Foster climbed the famous steps of the Palais du Festival was in 1976  and the 13-year old actress was here for Taxi Driver : a child actress in a history making film. 40 years later Foster is back in Cannes to promote her latest directorial effort, Money Monster, a fast-paced thriller starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts shown out of competition here.

A generous selection of 20 titles (against last year’s 19 and 2014’s 18) with a mix of festival perennials, first-timers and exciting segues by recent buzz-worthy filmmakers sets the tone for this year’s Cannes International Film Festival.  The announcement of the 2016 edition of the event – its 69th- was made this morning in Paris by festival delegate general Thierry Fremaux and festival president Pierre Lescure.