cannes

As Cannes passed its midpoint, one name seemed to be on everybody's lips: Nicole Kidman. The first of three films with Nicole leading the cast, Yorgos Lanthimos' The Killing of a Sacred Deer, shook the Palais with riotous applause, four minutes of which were dedicated to Nicole, who plays the wife of Colin Farrell's brilliant neurosurgeon, the pivot of a complicated family drama.

Adam Sandler, Tilda Swinton, Dustin Hoffman, Greta Gerwig, Ted Sarandos and many others were on hand for the HFPA’s annual philanthropy event at Nikki Beach. Last year HFPA presented a grant to Film Aid.

At 70, the Cannes Film Festival – opening today with the gala screening of Arnaud Desplechin’s Ismael’s Ghosts - feels as young and fresh as ever. There’s a notable presence of works from young filmmakers, from the US’ Sean Baker, of Tangerine fame, in the Directors’ Fortnight with his newest, The Florida Project, to France’s Arthur de Pins, directing an animated featured based on his comic book series Zombillenium.

The opening gala of the 70th Cannes Film Festival made a strong style point - there was color on the Palais red carpet, yes, but the nudes/fairy tale flounces trend that started at the Golden Globes is still hot hot hot.  .

Security was tight, the weather was balmy and the stars came out in full force - the 70th Cannes Film Festival is officially open.

The Golden Globes precede the Cannes Film Festival by five years –  Cannes is celebrating 70 years and the Globes will have their 75th gala on January 7th, 2018. But the two events caught up with each other rather quickly.

A little party never killed nobody. from the Great Gatsby The word party may not be French, but it might as well have been invented for the Cannes Festival.

Yes! Nicole Cannes! Nicole Kidman has already been celebrated here as an icon of style, and is a critical and box office winner. She is due at Cannes this year in four projects: The Beguiled, The Killing of Sacred Deer, the sophomore season of Top of the Lake and the comedy, How to Talk to Girls at Parties.

Since Marie Antoinette premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, Kirsten Dunst has been a festival regular, and a stand out on the red carpet. Last year as a Jury Member she sizzled in one visual delight after another.

The 70th Cannes Film Festival has all the elements to become, quietly and efficiently, a landmark - and not just because it marks a Platinum Jubilee. The festival’s official selection, announced today in Paris, presents some important signs of change in the overall scope of the most respected international film competition:Women, in front and behind the cameras, abound.