The Cannes Film Festival once again provided many memorable moments in 2024.
On Saturday evening (May 25), the Cannes Film Festival concluded. The jury, chaired by Greta Gerwig, 40, announced the Palme d’Or for the best film at the closing ceremony, and director and “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, 80, received the honorary Palme d’Or for his lifetime achievement. For two weeks, the Croisette was once again all about the big stars. There were many glamorous appearances, but also touching moments, as the US magazine “People” summarized.
The Stars Showed Emotions
The festival had an emotional start: Juliette Binoche, 60, could not hold back her tears as she presented Meryl Streep, 74, with the honorary Palme d’Or for her lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony. The honoree tried to comfort her colleague by placing a hand on her shoulder, but to no avail. Nevertheless, it was a joyful moment for the Oscar-winning actress, who joked the next morning: “At home, I am not respected, so it is incredible to come into this arena and experience this great wave of appreciation.”
Even the usually cool Kevin Costner, 69, could not hold back his emotions during his appearance in Cannes. The actor and director tried to maintain his composure while the audience celebrated his Western film “Horizon: An American Saga” with an 11-minute standing ovation. Costner wiped away tears in the theater, saying, “I will never forget this.” The day was also unforgettable for him because he was accompanied by five of his seven children.
Cher Turned Back Time
The amfAR Gala during the film festival is always a glamorous affair—and this year it was also unusually loud. Demi Moore, 61, admonished the audience when introducing Cher, 78, as the evening’s headliner. “She has won a Grammy, an Oscar, an Emmy. Do any of you back there have an Emmy? I don’t damn well think so,” she scolded. When Cher performed, however, everyone fell silent: The pop icon wore a skintight, see-through outfit reminiscent of her legendary 1989 music video for “If I Could Turn Back Time.”
Hot Couple Appearances
The red carpets in Cannes are always a great opportunity to showcase one’s romantic happiness to the world. Matthias Schweighöfer, 43, and Ruby O. Fee, 28, made a stylish duo at the opening of the 77th film festival on the Côte d’Azur. At the premiere of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” Chris Hemsworth, 40, and Elsa Pataky, 47, could not take their eyes off each other. Richard Gere, 74, also made Cannes a family affair, appearing at the world premiere of “Oh, Canada” with his wife Alejandra Silva, 41, in a rare public appearance. Their son Homer James Jigme Gere, 24, attended the after-party following the acclaimed premiere.
Sienna Miller, 42, also attended with her partner Oli Green, 27. However, the special highlight was her daughter Marlowe, 11, who accompanied her on the red carpet for the first time.
Shocking Film Moment
The festival not only provided plenty of glamour but also ensured a few uncomfortable moments. Most of the shock came from director Ali Abbasi’s, 43, “The Apprentice,” a fictionalized story about a young Donald Trump, with Sebastian Stan, 41, and Maria Bakalova, 27, playing Trump and his first wife Ivana.
The film depicts Trump sexually harassing his wife after telling her he is no longer attracted to her, and Ivana responds that her orange, balding husband should perhaps look in the mirror. The audience was shocked by the disturbing scene—as well as by the portrayal of Trump undergoing liposuction and scalp reduction surgery. The Trump campaign team immediately called the film “garbage” and announced plans to sue “to refute the blatantly false claims of these wannabe filmmakers.”
Notable Appearances
Kelly Rowland, 43, also caused a stir when she had a dispute with a security guard on the steps of the Lumière Theater. The scene went viral on May 21. At the premiere of “Marcello Mio,” the former “Destiny’s Child” star was ascending the stairs when the guard tried to direct her. The two engaged in a verbal exchange, which was captured on video. “The woman knows what happened. I know what happened,” Rowland later said. “I have boundaries, and I stand by those boundaries, and that’s all there is to it.” Other women on that carpet, “who didn’t quite look like me,” were neither scolded nor pushed aside.
There was also discussion about the comeback of Shia LaBeouf, 37, who did not want to miss the premiere of his new film “Megalopolis.” After serious allegations from his ex-girlfriend, the actor had avoided the public eye. In Cannes, the scandal-ridden star appeared unusually elegant in a tuxedo.
Heidi Klum Outshone Everyone
Heidi Klum, 50, made two appearances at the Croisette. At the opening, she drew attention in a voluminous red dress. She was introduced in Cannes as the new L’Oréal brand ambassador. She returned for the amfAR Gala with her daughter Leni Klum, 20, by her side. The “Germany’s Next Topmodel” host wore a tulle dream, while the budding model sported a black mesh dress.
