I’ve been back to Cannes about 15 times. I was there to see Valerie Donzelli’s film[[Margaret and Julian in 2015]in competition and with the final film[2012[2012’sTherese]By Claude Miller. She has participated in films in Critics’ Week and Un Certain Regard. I was president of the jury that awarded the Golden Camera Award to Vietnamese director Pham Thien Anh for his film [toVietnamesedirectorPhamThienAnforInside the yellow cocoon shell]In 2023.
But what stands out is from my first time. I was 15 years old, and I was in Cannes to see a Michael Haneke movie[2003’sTimeofthe[2003’sTimeofthe wolf]. I was so young, so light-hearted. I didn’t really understand the craft of an actor, or the stress and joy that comes with attending the Cannes Film Festival. I still remember people telling me: “You don’t know if you make another movie, it might be the end of your career. So enjoy it while it lasts.”
I remember the red carpet. I was very young. I didn’t expect the paparazzi to scream so loudly. When Isabelle Huppert, who was the star of the movie, came in, she just said: “Isabelle! Isabelle! Isabelle!!!”
The show itself then takes place in the Grand Theater. In that legendary cinema on that big screen. The parade seemed almost like a religious ceremony. But because it was a Haneke film, it was also controversial. During the show, people were whistling and screaming at the screen. Others were applauding. It was unbelievable. I have never experienced a show like this before or since.
Looking back, and coming back to open the festival, I consider myself very lucky to still be working in this field 20 years later. And he’s still coming to Cannes. Because we are not in competition[with[withElectric kiss]There’s no extra pressure, no extra pressure. Just extra fun.
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