Cannes is regarded as the largest film festival in the world, held annually in the city of the same name located in the southeastern part of France, near the Mediterranean Sea, every May. This prominent event is known for its artistic philosophy that elevates creativity, encourages, and stimulates innovation. Throughout its long history, spanning over 7 decades, Cannes has become synonymous with distinction and Cannes is considered two inseparable elements.
The Cannes Film Festival is the focal point of global entertainment.
Controversy: A Major Theme at Cannes
According to The Guardian and Mail, films that provoke controversy are always a hot topic at Cannes. Over the years, this prestigious festival has been known for its bold works that stir the audience and spark intense debates. Cannes often ignites controversy as its organizing committee consistently upholds creative integrity, inviting filmmakers to present works that leave a profound personal impression.
In 1961, the jury made headlines by awarding the Palme d’Or to “Viridiana,” a film by the iconic Spanish director Luis Buñuel. The story revolves around a beautiful girl named Viridiana who is preparing to take her vows to become a nun. Before proceeding with her important ceremony, Viridiana visits a wealthy man living in seclusion. There, she becomes enamored with the opulence of wealth. As fate would have it, Viridiana’s benefactor ultimately commits an act of betrayal, leading her to forsake her vows.
“Viridiana” is one of the most controversial films in cinematic history.
The narrative of “Viridiana” caused a stir among the audience at Cannes and many church officials. L’Osservatore Romano – the official newspaper of the Vatican – described the work as “a scandal against God.” The film was also banned in Spain until 1977. According to producers, the government even demanded the destruction of the film’s prints. The work still remains a significant part of the repertoire of many foreign film archives today.
The following year, the Cannes Film Festival continued to select another controversial work, “Mondo Cane,” for the Palme d’Or. Directed by Paolo Cavara, Gualtiero Jacopetti, and Franco Prosperi, this film is a documentary that showcases bizarre cultural practices worldwide. It is also considered the first “shockumentary” introduced to the global audience. When facing numerous criticisms, the filmmakers stated: “All the scenes presented are real. If they shock, it means that this world has many dark corners being exposed.”
Mondo Cane is another film from Cannes that explores the provocative theme in world cinema.
In recent years, controversial films that explore unique themes at Cannes have shown no signs of diminishing. In 2015, the film “Love” by director Gaspar Noé shocked audiences with its explicit scenes of sexual content performed by the actors on screen. The director of the production even proudly stated: “This is a film that can make older viewers feel uncomfortable, while younger audiences may cry out.”
“Titane,” the 2021 Palme d’Or winner, also left audiences breathless by exploring the bizarre relationships between women and vehicles. The BBC even dubbed it “the most shocking film of the year.”
The Cannes Film Festival 2024 recently kicked off, presenting numerous works that have drawn significant media attention. The film “Megalopolis” by director Francis Ford Coppola features many shocking scenes, with a notable focus on a segment described as a sex tape between stars Adam Driver and Shia LaBeouf. “Kinds of Kindness” – the latest film of Emma Stone – has also caused many viewers to leave the theater due to its explicit content and numerous hot scenes.
The Cannes Festival has unveiled many edgy and hard-to-watch works exploring unique themes.
However, in terms of artistic expression, many works in this year’s lineup received high critical acclaim. Numerous productions mentioned above are also recognized by institutions such as the British Film Institute, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Academy Awards as outstanding films of the year, receiving significant media coverage. Therefore, there are opinions suggesting that the “exclusivity” of the Cannes organizing committee may create an environment that pushes filmmakers out of their comfort zones, bringing to the public works with profound emotional impact. The emergence of many shocking films is also seen as a “difficult problem” that cannot be avoided in the current landscape.
Scandals Beyond the Screen
For a long time, fame, wealth, and ambition have always been characteristics that the organizing committee of the festival tends to attract. Here, it is regarded as a kind of “glamorous waiting room” outside the real world, where only the most exclusive stories, hidden relationships, are shared continuously throughout the lengthy duration. Cannes has always been known for attracting beautiful and famous stars, not to mention the quest for opportunities to advance. According to Hollywood Reporter, many girls are ready to “sell themselves” to snag supporting roles in films, often accompanied by a visa to the United States. These individuals are often under the management of agencies that encourage them to create soft relationships, subtly manipulating the public perception and major production companies.
Every year, one can see young women like this appearing along the Croisette, the glamorous promenade in Cannes. In 1953, star Brigitte Bardot (at just 18 years old) famously became the center of controversy when she appeared in a bikini for a photo shoot alongside actor Kirk Douglas. Just a year later, actress Simone Silva made headlines when she “flashed” while posing for photos next to Hollywood star Robert Mitchum.
The controversial actions of Simone Silva at the Cannes Film Festival.
The unique atmosphere continues to be a recurring theme highlighted at this festival every year. There is a sentiment that this is a place where “the rich can indulge more than eating pizza.” The Daily Mail even referred to the industry’s largest scandal at Cannes as the cinematic event where the theme of sexuality prevails. Many young women often view this as an opportunity to advance their careers should they encounter the right production houses willing to invest in their flourishing careers. At the same time, numerous famous stars also often travel to Cannes to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle while making money.
The Cannes Film Festival often faces criticism from many social activists regarding its content that often promotes controversial themes. Notably, one has to mention “the Hollywood mogul” Harvey Weinstein – who has been repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct against many female stars at Cannes. According to investigative documentation, this famous producer has been accused multiple times of exploiting women at Cannes. However, these abuses have been documented for many years.
Producer Harvey Weinstein has been accused of repeatedly exploiting women at Cannes.
Last year, the organizing committee stirred controversy by screening a new film by Johnny Depp, despite the fact that the actor had been convicted in the UK for violent behavior against Amber Heard. Shortly thereafter, French actress Adele Haenel also publicly called for a boycott of the prestigious festival, citing the honor given to many individuals accused of sexual misconduct, such as Roman Polanski and Gérard Depardieu.
Just before the premiere of “Megalopolis” on May 16, a scandal broke out when director Francis Ford Coppola was accused of inappropriate behavior towards a female actress to help her “build emotional momentum” before filming. The representative for Francis Ford Coppola has yet to respond to these allegations.
In addition to the artistic works that are often highlighted, Cannes remains an attraction for the public with its glamorous imagery, opulence, and the significant behind-the-scenes stories. Notably, Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian once noted that the unique atmosphere is the catalyst that creates the aura of the world’s largest film festival over the years, both on screen and off the stage. “In the opinion of a festival committee member, it is believed that the allure of Cannes is even more captivating than its controversial themes,” the writer remarked.
