Following French actress Adèle Haenel's announcement of her departure from the French film industry, Thierry Fremaux, the chief of the Cannes Film Festival, has responded by rejecting her criticisms. Haenel had accused French director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her over a span of years, claiming that Cannes and other pillars of the French film industry are willing to protect their abusive leaders.

Fremaux strongly disagreed with Haenel's remarks, stating that they were "clearly untrue." He highlighted the festival's increased representation of films directed by women this year and its decision not to screen Woody Allen's latest film.

"In my life, I abide by a single principle," Fremaux stated. "It is the freedom to think, the freedom to express oneself, and the freedom to act within the confines of the law."

Haenel's criticisms have reignited discussions surrounding the #MeToo movement at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious film festivals. Harvey Weinstein, a prominent presence in Cannes for many years, was accused of several instances of sexual abuse that reportedly occurred during the festival.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india75-cannes-to-oscars-indian-films-that-won-big-awards-globally-506794/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Historically, Cannes has had a low representation of female filmmakers in its esteemed competition lineup. In 2018, 82 women staged a protest on the Cannes red carpet, and the following year, Fremaux signed a pledge committing to strive for greater gender parity.

This year, a record-breaking seven films directed by women are part of the 21 movies in competition. Fremaux emphasised that this reflects the increasing prominence of female filmmakers worldwide.

Fremaux also defended the festival's decision to screen Jeanne du Barry,&nbsp;the opening night film starring Johnny Depp. This film marks Depp's return to the screen after a highly publicised trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, where both parties accused each other of physical and verbal abuse. Depp was awarded $10 million in damages and Heard received $2 million in a settlement reached in December.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-2023-the-indian-representation-at-this-years-film-festival-592686">Cannes 2023: The Indian representation at this year's film festival</a>

“To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule, it’s the freedom of thinking, the freedom of speech and the freedom to act within a legal framework,” he said.

Fremaux's statements come at a time when Cannes faces increased scrutiny for its handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The festival has faced criticism for its past association with Weinstein and its delayed response to the #MeToo movement.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Following French actress Adèle Haenel's announcement of her departure from the French film industry, Thierry Fremaux, the chief of the Cannes Film Festival, has responded by rejecting her criticisms.

Following French actress Adèle Haenel's announcement of her departure from the French film industry, Thierry Fremaux, the chief of the Cannes Film Festival, has responded by rejecting her criticisms. Haenel had accused French director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her over a span of years, claiming that Cannes and other pillars of the French film industry are willing to protect their abusive leaders. Fremaux strongly disagreed with Haenel's remarks, stating that they were "clearly untrue." He highlighted the festival's increased representation of films directed by women this year and its decision not to screen Woody Allen's latest film. "In my life, I abide by a single principle," Fremaux stated. "It is the freedom to think, the freedom to express oneself, and the freedom to act within the confines of the law." Haenel's criticisms have reignited discussions surrounding the #MeToo movement at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious film festivals. Harvey Weinstein, a prominent presence in Cannes for many years, was accused of several instances of sexual abuse that reportedly occurred during the festival. Historically, Cannes has had a low representation of female filmmakers in its esteemed competition lineup. In 2018, 82 women staged a protest on the Cannes red carpet, and the following year, Fremaux signed a pledge committing to strive for greater gender parity. This year, a record-breaking seven films directed by women are part of the 21 movies in competition. Fremaux emphasised that this reflects the increasing prominence of female filmmakers worldwide. Fremaux also defended the festival's decision to screen Jeanne du Barry, the opening night film starring Johnny Depp. This film marks Depp's return to the screen after a highly publicised trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, where both parties accused each other of physical and verbal abuse. Depp was awarded $10 million in damages and Heard received $2 million in a settlement reached in December. Also Read: Cannes 2023: The Indian representation at this year's film festival “To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule, it’s the freedom of thinking, the freedom of speech and the freedom to act within a legal framework,” he said. Fremaux's statements come at a time when Cannes faces increased scrutiny for its handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The festival has faced criticism for its past association with Weinstein and its delayed response to the #MeToo movement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cannes chief rejects Adèle Haenel's criticisms over French film industry's #MeToo response

One of Eastern Europe's most acclaimed filmmakers, Romania's Cristian Mungiu, is back at the Cannes Film Festival with a dark tale about how little it takes for people to turn on their neighbours.

His wrenching Ceausescu-era drama about illegal abortion "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" clinched the top prize at the world's top cinema showcase in 2007.

Mungiu also won best screenplay for 2012's "Beyond the Hills" and best director for "Graduation" in 2016.&nbsp;

His new film, "RMN", again sees him in the race for the Palme d'Or, and the 54-year-old told AFP &nbsp;it explores the collapse of hopes for a new era of peace following the end of the Cold War.

"I try to speak about human nature and about the state of the world today and about this feeling that we have today that things are not going in the right direction," he said.

"Things are coming to some sort of an end and everybody feels this anxiety," not least over the war raging in Ukraine, he said.

- 'Capable of anything' -

RMN is the Romanian abbreviation for an MRI which Mungiu said when scanning the brain can reveal fascinating secrets of how human beings are wired.

The film explores the anxieties of a multi-ethnic community in Transylvania, a historical crossroads of migration and competing empires which has left Romanian, Hungarian and German speakers living side-by-side to this day.

It is inspired by a story widely covered by Romanian media in 2020, when a village in Transylvania rose up against the local bakery for hiring two Sri Lankans.

In the film the foreign men are recruited to a bread factory reliant on EU grants and offering minimum-wage jobs that long went unfilled because the salary was too low for locals.

A manager tries to look after the dislocated Sri Lankans, who don't speak any of the local languages and are struggling to integrate.

A violent attack leads to confrontations with the police, the village priest and finally a town meeting in which hysterical fears about the outsiders are aired.

Mungiu said he aimed to hold up a mirror to the "instincts and cruelty which is deep inside us as human animals and to see that people who are neighbours today are capable of anything tomorrow -- raping, killing and torturing somebody else simply because somebody told me this is the enemy".

&nbsp;'A movement' -

The film won warm reviews, with The Guardian saying it was "seriously engaged with the dysfunction and unhappiness in&nbsp; Europe&nbsp;that goes unreported and unacknowledged".

US movie website IndieWire called it another "moral thriller"&nbsp;from Mungiu that pulls "harder and harder at the tension between complex socioeconomic forces and the simple human emotions they inspire".&nbsp;

Mungiu is part of Romania's New Wave of film-makers tracking the realities of the post-communist transition who have scooped up prizes at international festivals for the past two decades.

He admitted at Cannes that those acclaimed movies have been far less popular at home.

"(Romanians) don't really like what we do -- they don't really understand why somebody likes it somewhere else," he said.

"But for us it's really important that we managed to create some sort of a movement which is now complex enough -- there are quite diverse film-makers expressing themselves.&nbsp;

"At some point I think it will be acknowledged as something good that we did also for the culture of Romania."

The Palme d'Or will be awarded on May 28.

One of Eastern Europe's most acclaimed filmmakers, Romania's Cristian Mungiu, is back at the Cannes Film Festival with a dark tale about how little it takes for people to turn on their neighbours.

One of Eastern Europe's most acclaimed filmmakers, Romania's Cristian Mungiu, is back at the Cannes Film Festival with a dark tale about how little it takes for people to turn on their neighbours. His wrenching Ceausescu-era drama about illegal abortion "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" clinched the top prize at the world's top cinema showcase in 2007. Mungiu also won best screenplay for 2012's "Beyond the Hills" and best director for "Graduation" in 2016. His new film, "RMN", again sees him in the race for the Palme d'Or, and the 54-year-old told AFP it explores the collapse of hopes for a new era of peace following the end of the Cold War. "I try to speak about human nature and about the state of the world today and about this feeling that we have today that things are not going in the right direction," he said. "Things are coming to some sort of an end and everybody feels this anxiety," not least over the war raging in Ukraine, he said. - 'Capable of anything' - RMN is the Romanian abbreviation for an MRI which Mungiu said when scanning the brain can reveal fascinating secrets of how human beings are wired. The film explores the anxieties of a multi-ethnic community in Transylvania, a historical crossroads of migration and competing empires which has left Romanian, Hungarian and German speakers living side-by-side to this day. It is inspired by a story widely covered by Romanian media in 2020, when a village in Transylvania rose up against the local bakery for hiring two Sri Lankans. In the film the foreign men are recruited to a bread factory reliant on EU grants and offering minimum-wage jobs that long went unfilled because the salary was too low for locals. A manager tries to look after the dislocated Sri Lankans, who don't speak any of the local languages and are struggling to integrate. A violent attack leads to confrontations with the police, the village priest and finally a town meeting in which hysterical fears about the outsiders are aired. Mungiu said he aimed to hold up a mirror to the "instincts and cruelty which is deep inside us as human animals and to see that people who are neighbours today are capable of anything tomorrow -- raping, killing and torturing somebody else simply because somebody told me this is the enemy". 'A movement' - The film won warm reviews, with The Guardian saying it was "seriously engaged with the dysfunction and unhappiness in Europe that goes unreported and unacknowledged". US movie website IndieWire called it another "moral thriller" from Mungiu that pulls "harder and harder at the tension between complex socioeconomic forces and the simple human emotions they inspire". Mungiu is part of Romania's New Wave of film-makers tracking the realities of the post-communist transition who have scooped up prizes at international festivals for the past two decades. He admitted at Cannes that those acclaimed movies have been far less popular at home. "(Romanians) don't really like what we do -- they don't really understand why somebody likes it somewhere else," he said. "But for us it's really important that we managed to create some sort of a movement which is now complex enough -- there are quite diverse film-makers expressing themselves. "At some point I think it will be acknowledged as something good that we did also for the culture of Romania." The Palme d'Or will be awarded on May 28.

Cannes favourite returns to show horror of 'human animals'

In one of the standout performances at Cannes, actor Simon Rex had to play a porn star with a monstrous ego grooming a young girl, and somehow still make him likeable.&nbsp; And he had to do it with just three days of preparation in the middle of the pandemic in Texas.&nbsp;

'Red Rocket', which premiered at Cannes on Wednesday, swings between comedy and gritty real-life drama thanks to Rex's devilishly charming central performance.&nbsp; To say the job came as a surprise for Rex, who is mostly known for appearances in the slapstick 'Scary Movie'&nbsp;franchise, would be an understatement.&nbsp;

He was sat at home in the early months of the pandemic when director Sean Baker, who had a breakout indie hit with 'The Florida Project'&nbsp;a few years ago, phoned him out of the blue.&nbsp;

"I had never met him before but he was, like, 'I've been following your career for a long time and I need you to send me an audition right now on your phone," Rex told AFP.

"I had five minutes to rehearse, I memorised it, I hit record on my iPhone in my kitchen and sent it to him. He said 'I need you in Texas in three days, and you have to drive here because if you fly you have to quarantine for a week.'' Rex said the lack of preparation was a bonus, allowing the film to keep a "raw" feel.

That is also supplied by the many non-actors in supporting roles -- a regular feature for Baker, who famously found a child star from 'The Florida Project'&nbsp;in a supermarket and another actress on Instagram.&nbsp;

"Most of the people in the movie he would find on the streets of Texas," Rex said. "He'd say 'You've got a good look, you want to be in this movie?' And I thought 'Fuck I hope they can pull this off!'"

As usual for Baker, the results are a revelation, and allow him to depict the sort of poorer communities usually ignored on screen.&nbsp;

"Sean does a very good job in all of his films... where there are these 'deplorables' that society doesn't like, but he shines a light on dark subject matter and makes them likeable, real people," Rex said.&nbsp;

'Red Rocket'&nbsp;is competing with 23 other films for the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes, to be announced on Saturday.&nbsp;

Baker's recent success is sweet vindication for the 50-year-old who battled through personal crises and decades on the edges of the film industry before his breakthrough "Tangerine" in 2015, a movie about transgender sex workers in Los Angeles that was shot entirely on an iPhone.&nbsp;

In one of the standout performances at Cannes, actor Simon Rex had to play a porn star with a monstrous ego grooming a young girl, and somehow still make him likeable.

In one of the standout performances at Cannes, actor Simon Rex had to play a porn star with a monstrous ego grooming a young girl, and somehow still make him likeable. And he had to do it with just three days of preparation in the middle of the pandemic in Texas. 'Red Rocket', which premiered at Cannes on Wednesday, swings between comedy and gritty real-life drama thanks to Rex's devilishly charming central performance. To say the job came as a surprise for Rex, who is mostly known for appearances in the slapstick 'Scary Movie' franchise, would be an understatement. He was sat at home in the early months of the pandemic when director Sean Baker, who had a breakout indie hit with 'The Florida Project' a few years ago, phoned him out of the blue. "I had never met him before but he was, like, 'I've been following your career for a long time and I need you to send me an audition right now on your phone," Rex told AFP. "I had five minutes to rehearse, I memorised it, I hit record on my iPhone in my kitchen and sent it to him. He said 'I need you in Texas in three days, and you have to drive here because if you fly you have to quarantine for a week.'' Rex said the lack of preparation was a bonus, allowing the film to keep a "raw" feel. That is also supplied by the many non-actors in supporting roles -- a regular feature for Baker, who famously found a child star from 'The Florida Project' in a supermarket and another actress on Instagram. "Most of the people in the movie he would find on the streets of Texas," Rex said. "He'd say 'You've got a good look, you want to be in this movie?' And I thought 'Fuck I hope they can pull this off!'" As usual for Baker, the results are a revelation, and allow him to depict the sort of poorer communities usually ignored on screen. "Sean does a very good job in all of his films... where there are these 'deplorables' that society doesn't like, but he shines a light on dark subject matter and makes them likeable, real people," Rex said. 'Red Rocket' is competing with 23 other films for the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes, to be announced on Saturday. Baker's recent success is sweet vindication for the 50-year-old who battled through personal crises and decades on the edges of the film industry before his breakthrough "Tangerine" in 2015, a movie about transgender sex workers in Los Angeles that was shot entirely on an iPhone.

Not much foreplay: Actor's rush to Cannes porn star role

The Cannes film festival has fallen head over heels for a Norwegian film about a young woman trying to find herself and the unknown actress who plays her. 'A star is born',&nbsp;declared The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw.

Renate Reinsve "takes off like a rocket and deserves star status to rival Lily James or Alicia Vikander," he added, giving 'The Worst Person in the World'&nbsp;a five-star review -- one of several it has already garnered.

In her first big-screen lead, Reinsve plays a twenty-something trying and failing to define herself through her pinballing relationships with men until she finally strikes out on her own path.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/Priyanka%20Chopra%20to%20Deepika%20Padukone%3A%20A%20look%20back%20at%20Cannes%202019%20red%20carpet-298850" hreflang="en">Cannes: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra &amp; other Bollywood divas who rocked the red carpet in the past</a>

Variety predicted it would become a "touchstone" movie for millennials, Britain's Daily Telegraph called it "wondrous", while Xan Brooks of The Observer said it was "simply gorgeous". Bradshaw -- one of several critics to admit wiping away a tear or two during the premiere -- credited the director Joachim Trier with inventing a whole new genre.

"Trier has taken on one of the most difficult genres imaginable, the romantic drama, and combined it with another very tricky style -- the coming-of-ager –- to craft something gloriously sweet and beguiling," he said.

The French media were equally bewitched. And everyone wondered why the world has never heard of 33-year-old Reinsve before. Trier told AFP that "there is an awful lot of her in the character. She has had a big, big impact on this film.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/set-in-chad-cannes-film-lingui-explores-abortion-struggles-397127" hreflang="en">Set in Chad, Cannes film 'Lingui' explores abortion struggles</a>

"I wrote it specifically for her," he said knowing her gift for improvisation. "I could cut four of five different versions of any scene with her in this film. "I always wondered why the hell is Norwegian film so messed up that she hasn't had a lead role yet?" Trier added.

Love in the time of #MeToo -

Reinsve told AFP that she had "been through the same" labyrinth of self-doubt and indecision as her character. And she too would often think of herself as the worst person in the world as she saw others around fly.

In the film her character Julie drifts from medical school to a psychology degree to photography to&nbsp;five minutes of Facebook fame for writing a piece called "Oral sex in the era of #MeToo". "Growing up before #MeToo you kind of shape yourself with the strong opinions and presence of men," Reinsve added.

"She finds her identity in others' eyes. When you free yourself from that, you become yourself and stronger," she said. The film -- which includes one of the most gobsmackingly feminist sex scenes ever seen at Cannes -- has also been praised for the way it deals with the shifting gender power balance.

In one particularly telling scene, Reinsve's older graphic novelist boyfriend crashes and burns when a radio interview turns to the lumpen sexism of his past creations.

Trier said the film was navigating "the beautiful chaos" and complications of love in a time of massive change. "With #MeToo it is very polarised. But I believe that change also comes about through humanity and understanding," he said.

"Is there such a thing as pure love? I'm not sure, they are millions of agendas, conscious and unconscious. "I want to give a big hug to people with this the film and say hey, 'It's OK. we are all going through this.'"

'The Worst Person in the World' is one of 24 films competing for Cannes top prize, the Palme d'Or, which will be awarded next Saturday.

The Cannes film festival has fallen head over heels for a Norwegian film about a young woman trying to find herself and the unknown actress who plays her. 'A star is born', declared The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw.

The Cannes film festival has fallen head over heels for a Norwegian film about a young woman trying to find herself and the unknown actress who plays her. 'A star is born', declared The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw. Renate Reinsve "takes off like a rocket and deserves star status to rival Lily James or Alicia Vikander," he added, giving 'The Worst Person in the World' a five-star review -- one of several it has already garnered. In her first big-screen lead, Reinsve plays a twenty-something trying and failing to define herself through her pinballing relationships with men until she finally strikes out on her own path. In pics: Cannes: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra & other Bollywood divas who rocked the red carpet in the past Variety predicted it would become a "touchstone" movie for millennials, Britain's Daily Telegraph called it "wondrous", while Xan Brooks of The Observer said it was "simply gorgeous". Bradshaw -- one of several critics to admit wiping away a tear or two during the premiere -- credited the director Joachim Trier with inventing a whole new genre. "Trier has taken on one of the most difficult genres imaginable, the romantic drama, and combined it with another very tricky style -- the coming-of-ager –- to craft something gloriously sweet and beguiling," he said. The French media were equally bewitched. And everyone wondered why the world has never heard of 33-year-old Reinsve before. Trier told AFP that "there is an awful lot of her in the character. She has had a big, big impact on this film. Also read: Set in Chad, Cannes film 'Lingui' explores abortion struggles "I wrote it specifically for her," he said knowing her gift for improvisation. "I could cut four of five different versions of any scene with her in this film. "I always wondered why the hell is Norwegian film so messed up that she hasn't had a lead role yet?" Trier added. Love in the time of #MeToo - Reinsve told AFP that she had "been through the same" labyrinth of self-doubt and indecision as her character. And she too would often think of herself as the worst person in the world as she saw others around fly. In the film her character Julie drifts from medical school to a psychology degree to photography to five minutes of Facebook fame for writing a piece called "Oral sex in the era of #MeToo". "Growing up before #MeToo you kind of shape yourself with the strong opinions and presence of men," Reinsve added. "She finds her identity in others' eyes. When you free yourself from that, you become yourself and stronger," she said. The film -- which includes one of the most gobsmackingly feminist sex scenes ever seen at Cannes -- has also been praised for the way it deals with the shifting gender power balance. In one particularly telling scene, Reinsve's older graphic novelist boyfriend crashes and burns when a radio interview turns to the lumpen sexism of his past creations. Trier said the film was navigating "the beautiful chaos" and complications of love in a time of massive change. "With #MeToo it is very polarised. But I believe that change also comes about through humanity and understanding," he said. "Is there such a thing as pure love? I'm not sure, they are millions of agendas, conscious and unconscious. "I want to give a big hug to people with this the film and say hey, 'It's OK. we are all going through this.'" 'The Worst Person in the World' is one of 24 films competing for Cannes top prize, the Palme d'Or, which will be awarded next Saturday.

Cannes falls for 'The Worst Person in the World'

With just four women among the directors behind the 24 films in competition for the Palme d'Or, a familiar script is playing out at Cannes.&nbsp; Only one woman has ever won the film industry's most prestigious prize: Jane Campion for "The Piano" in 1993.&nbsp;

Debates over whether to blame the festival's selection committee or the wider film industry, have become as routine as sunshine and champagne on the Croisette. The debate reached new heights in 2018. With the #MeToo movement in full swing, 82 women held a protest on the steps of the Palais in Cannes, including Jane Fonda, Marion Cotillard and "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-cannes-2021-films-competing-for-cannes-palme-dor-395313">A familiar question at Cannes: where are the women?</a>

This year's edition can at least boast a more balanced list when the other sections of the festival are included, with some 40 women presenting films this year.&nbsp;

Palme nominees&nbsp;-&nbsp;

Three of the four women in the main competition are French: Mia Hansen-Love ('Bergman Island'), Catherine Corsini ('The Divide') and Julia Ducournau ('Titane'), along with Hungary's Ildiko Enyedi ('The Story of My Wife'). Cannes organisers insist they choose films on merit, taking no account of race, gender or nationality.&nbsp;

But certain (male) arthouse luminaries and Cannes regulars are practically guaranteed a slot, even when their films turn out to be awful.&nbsp;Campion may have been among this year's selections if it were not for the festival's ongoing beef with Netflix, which has produced her latest, 'The Power of the Dog'.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-cannes-the-resurrections-of-deneuve-penn-and-jfk-395306" hreflang="en">&nbsp;Cannes: the resurrections of Deneuve, Penn and JFK</a>

"It's no surprise that the history of the Cannes Film Festival is dominated by the celebration of male achievement when it has overwhelmingly been programmed by men," said Sophie Monks Kaufman, co-chair of pressure group Times Up UK Critics.

Touting this year's selection of four women as the joint best-ever with 2019 was "embarrassing," she added, "especially as statistically female representation is worse this year than in 2019 as the competition line-up has swollen from 21 to 24".

They will, however, face a jury that is mostly female, including French-Senegalese director Mati Diop and actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, for the fourth time in the festival's history (2009, 2014 and 2018).

Parallel sections - &nbsp;

There is more to Cannes than the main competition, however.&nbsp; Exactly half of the 24 films featured in the Directors' Fortnight are by women, including a directing debut from Luana Bajrami, who appeared in "Portrait of a Lady on Fire".

The International Critics' Week, which focuses on young directors, has seven women among its 13 entries. There is hope this will continue, with the recent appointment of film expert Ava Cahen as the new head of the independent strand.

Born in 1986, she is the youngest person ever to hold the position and will take over after this year's event from director Charles Tesson.

&nbsp;Out of competition -

There is much to look forward to outside the competitions, too.

'Peaceful'&nbsp;by French director Emmanuelle Bercot stars that great icon of Gallic cinema Catherine Deneuve, who suffered a minor stroke during filming but is making a triumphant return to the Croisette.&nbsp;

There is also excitement over the premiere of Charlotte Gainsbourg's directing debut, a documentary about her mother Jane Birkin ('Jane'). And US actor-director Jodie Foster, of "Taxi Driver" and "Silence of the Lambs" fame, will receive an honorary Palme.

Foster did not mince her words during her last visit to Cannes in 2016, saying Hollywood studio bosses still saw women directors as "too great a risk to take".&nbsp; But she also said she opposed the idea of setting a quota for female representation.&nbsp; "We're not talking about junior executives," she said. "We're talking about an art form."

With just four women among the directors behind the 24 films in competition for the Palme d'Or, a familiar script is playing out at Cannes. Only one woman has ever won the film industry's most prestigious prize: Jane Campion for "The Piano" in 1993.

With just four women among the directors behind the 24 films in competition for the Palme d'Or, a familiar script is playing out at Cannes. Only one woman has ever won the film industry's most prestigious prize: Jane Campion for "The Piano" in 1993. Debates over whether to blame the festival's selection committee or the wider film industry, have become as routine as sunshine and champagne on the Croisette. The debate reached new heights in 2018. With the #MeToo movement in full swing, 82 women held a protest on the steps of the Palais in Cannes, including Jane Fonda, Marion Cotillard and "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins. Also Read: A familiar question at Cannes: where are the women? This year's edition can at least boast a more balanced list when the other sections of the festival are included, with some 40 women presenting films this year. Palme nominees - Three of the four women in the main competition are French: Mia Hansen-Love ('Bergman Island'), Catherine Corsini ('The Divide') and Julia Ducournau ('Titane'), along with Hungary's Ildiko Enyedi ('The Story of My Wife'). Cannes organisers insist they choose films on merit, taking no account of race, gender or nationality. But certain (male) arthouse luminaries and Cannes regulars are practically guaranteed a slot, even when their films turn out to be awful. Campion may have been among this year's selections if it were not for the festival's ongoing beef with Netflix, which has produced her latest, 'The Power of the Dog'. Also Read: Cannes: the resurrections of Deneuve, Penn and JFK "It's no surprise that the history of the Cannes Film Festival is dominated by the celebration of male achievement when it has overwhelmingly been programmed by men," said Sophie Monks Kaufman, co-chair of pressure group Times Up UK Critics. Touting this year's selection of four women as the joint best-ever with 2019 was "embarrassing," she added, "especially as statistically female representation is worse this year than in 2019 as the competition line-up has swollen from 21 to 24". They will, however, face a jury that is mostly female, including French-Senegalese director Mati Diop and actor Maggie Gyllenhaal, for the fourth time in the festival's history (2009, 2014 and 2018). Parallel sections - There is more to Cannes than the main competition, however. Exactly half of the 24 films featured in the Directors' Fortnight are by women, including a directing debut from Luana Bajrami, who appeared in "Portrait of a Lady on Fire". The International Critics' Week, which focuses on young directors, has seven women among its 13 entries. There is hope this will continue, with the recent appointment of film expert Ava Cahen as the new head of the independent strand. Born in 1986, she is the youngest person ever to hold the position and will take over after this year's event from director Charles Tesson. Out of competition - There is much to look forward to outside the competitions, too. 'Peaceful' by French director Emmanuelle Bercot stars that great icon of Gallic cinema Catherine Deneuve, who suffered a minor stroke during filming but is making a triumphant return to the Croisette. There is also excitement over the premiere of Charlotte Gainsbourg's directing debut, a documentary about her mother Jane Birkin ('Jane'). And US actor-director Jodie Foster, of "Taxi Driver" and "Silence of the Lambs" fame, will receive an honorary Palme. Foster did not mince her words during her last visit to Cannes in 2016, saying Hollywood studio bosses still saw women directors as "too great a risk to take". But she also said she opposed the idea of setting a quota for female representation. "We're not talking about junior executives," she said. "We're talking about an art form."

A familiar question at Cannes: where are the women?

Sean Penn and Wes Anderson will be among heavy hitters vying for the Cannes Film Festival's top award in July when the cinema showcase is hoping international stars will be able to mingle at parties on the French riviera again. 
 
Organisers of the world`s biggest film festival said on Thursday they were confident of being able to host dinners and beach screenings alongside the main competition as some COVID-19 measures are lifted in France.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-2021-lineup-to-feature-record-number-of-women-directors-389308" hreflang="en">Cannes Film Festival 2021 lineup to feature record number of women directors</a> 
 
Usually held in May, the extravaganza was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, and will run between July 6 and 17 this year. While there will be no "kissing at the top of the red carpet", restrictions should not be too onerous, festival director Thierry Fremaux said. 
 
Travellers from some countries such as Britain are still facing quarantine measures in France for now, but there will no longer be evening curfews. 
After a Hollywood-heavy edition of Cannes in 2019, the comeback line-up features fewer big-name U.S. stars. 
 
The selection competing for the Palme d`Or features some films anchored in COVID-19 times, with characters wearing face masks. 
"Cinema will also have been marked by this," Fremaux told a news conference. French director Catherine Corsini`s "La Fracture" is set in a hospital in the present day. 
 
OZON TO AUDIARD 
 
Highlights will include 'The French Dispatch'&nbsp;by Wes Anderson, known for his quirky 'The Royal Tenenbaums'&nbsp;and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Anderson`s latest film, about a fictional U.S. newspaper office in France starring Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton, has been delayed since 2019. 
'Flag Day', a drama directed by Sean Penn, will also among the 24 films competing, with a jury headed by U.S. filmmaker Spike Lee.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/slew-of-auteurs-and-award-winners-for-reborn-cannes-389248" hreflang="en">Slew of auteurs and award-winners for reborn Cannes</a> 
 
Italy`s Nanni Moretti, who won in 2001, returns with 'Tre Piani', while Paul Verhoeven will present 'Benedetta', about a love story in a convent. 
Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star in 'Annette', a musical by Leos Carax that will premiere on the opening night. 
 
French directors Francois Ozon and Jacques Audiard will also be presenting films, as will Iran`s Asghar Farhadi, Russia`s Kirill Serebrennikov and Thailand`s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Palme d`Or in 2010. 
 
Outside the competition, Oliver Stone will screen a reworked version of his 1991 political thriller 'JFK', with new material. Oscar-winner Jodie Foster, who first walked the red carpet at Cannes as a 13-year-old when she starred in "Taxi Driver", will be presented with an honorary Palme d`Or. 
 
Cannes&nbsp;organisers have long been at loggerheads with streaming giant Netflix, which produces its own films and has shown them some at festivals, but has objected to strict French rules about giving films in competition a cinema release. 
 
Fremaux said two Netflix movies had been possible Cannes contenders, but no agreement had been reached on how to showcase them.

Sean Penn and Wes Anderson will be among heavy hitters vying for the Cannes Film Festival's top award in July when the cinema showcase is hoping international stars will be able to mingle at parties on the French riviera again.

Sean Penn and Wes Anderson will be among heavy hitters vying for the Cannes Film Festival's top award in July when the cinema showcase is hoping international stars will be able to mingle at parties on the French riviera again. Organisers of the world`s biggest film festival said on Thursday they were confident of being able to host dinners and beach screenings alongside the main competition as some COVID-19 measures are lifted in France. Cannes Film Festival 2021 lineup to feature record number of women directors Usually held in May, the extravaganza was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, and will run between July 6 and 17 this year. While there will be no "kissing at the top of the red carpet", restrictions should not be too onerous, festival director Thierry Fremaux said. Travellers from some countries such as Britain are still facing quarantine measures in France for now, but there will no longer be evening curfews. After a Hollywood-heavy edition of Cannes in 2019, the comeback line-up features fewer big-name U.S. stars. The selection competing for the Palme d`Or features some films anchored in COVID-19 times, with characters wearing face masks. "Cinema will also have been marked by this," Fremaux told a news conference. French director Catherine Corsini`s "La Fracture" is set in a hospital in the present day. OZON TO AUDIARD Highlights will include 'The French Dispatch' by Wes Anderson, known for his quirky 'The Royal Tenenbaums' and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Anderson`s latest film, about a fictional U.S. newspaper office in France starring Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton, has been delayed since 2019. 'Flag Day', a drama directed by Sean Penn, will also among the 24 films competing, with a jury headed by U.S. filmmaker Spike Lee. Slew of auteurs and award-winners for reborn Cannes Italy`s Nanni Moretti, who won in 2001, returns with 'Tre Piani', while Paul Verhoeven will present 'Benedetta', about a love story in a convent. Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star in 'Annette', a musical by Leos Carax that will premiere on the opening night. French directors Francois Ozon and Jacques Audiard will also be presenting films, as will Iran`s Asghar Farhadi, Russia`s Kirill Serebrennikov and Thailand`s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Palme d`Or in 2010. Outside the competition, Oliver Stone will screen a reworked version of his 1991 political thriller 'JFK', with new material. Oscar-winner Jodie Foster, who first walked the red carpet at Cannes as a 13-year-old when she starred in "Taxi Driver", will be presented with an honorary Palme d`Or. Cannes organisers have long been at loggerheads with streaming giant Netflix, which produces its own films and has shown them some at festivals, but has objected to strict French rules about giving films in competition a cinema release. Fremaux said two Netflix movies had been possible Cannes contenders, but no agreement had been reached on how to showcase them.

Cannes readies glitzy return with lockdown films in the mix

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world’s biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park.

As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family run-arounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows, to watch Steven Spielberg’s 1980s Classic ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’.

With cinemas, theatres and restaurants still closed as France cautiously unwinds its coronavirus lockdown, people were content to watch a movie outdoors on a balmy evening on the Mediterranean coast.

“You’ve got to make the most of the moment. It makes up for things a bit,” said one woman. She had driven to the Palm Beach with her grown-up son, who sat next to her wearing a face mask.

The 51 vehicles allowed to the screening were parked in every other space and staff wearing face-shields scanned barcodes on tickets.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cannes-2020-10-movies-that-were-supposed-to-screen-at-this-years-festival-293415">In Pictures:&nbsp;Cannes 2020: 10 movies that were supposed to screen at this year's festival</a>

The Cannes Film Festival was originally scheduled to take place from May 12-23. Beyond the star-studded screenings, production and distribution firms head to the Cote d’Azur to complete deals.

It is not the first time the festival has been postponed. Its inaugural event in 1939 was cut short after the opening screening of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame” because of Germany’s invasion of Poland the next day.

It was also interrupted in May 1968 as a student revolt and labour protests swept across France.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-parasite-to-the-pianist-cannes-film-festival-winners-you-can-stream-at-home-298901">In Pictures:&nbsp;From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home</a>

Cannes mayor David Lisnard said it was the town’s way of paying homage to cinema, and to show that “we miss the movies.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-to-not-go-virtual-will-team-up-with-other-movie-galas-to-show-selected-films-298175">Cannes Film Festival to not go virtual, will team up with other movie galas to show selected films</a>

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world’s biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park.

The Riviera resort of Cannes should have been playing host to the world’s biggest names in film. Instead, with its annual film festival postponed and the red carpet rolled up, locals made do with a drive-in cinema in a beachfront car park. As dusk fell, the audience settled down in their convertible sports cars and family run-arounds, popcorn on the dashboard and children hanging out the windows, to watch Steven Spielberg’s 1980s Classic ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’. With cinemas, theatres and restaurants still closed as France cautiously unwinds its coronavirus lockdown, people were content to watch a movie outdoors on a balmy evening on the Mediterranean coast. “You’ve got to make the most of the moment. It makes up for things a bit,” said one woman. She had driven to the Palm Beach with her grown-up son, who sat next to her wearing a face mask. The 51 vehicles allowed to the screening were parked in every other space and staff wearing face-shields scanned barcodes on tickets. In Pictures: Cannes 2020: 10 movies that were supposed to screen at this year's festival The Cannes Film Festival was originally scheduled to take place from May 12-23. Beyond the star-studded screenings, production and distribution firms head to the Cote d’Azur to complete deals. It is not the first time the festival has been postponed. Its inaugural event in 1939 was cut short after the opening screening of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame” because of Germany’s invasion of Poland the next day. It was also interrupted in May 1968 as a student revolt and labour protests swept across France. In Pictures: From 'Parasite' to 'The Pianist': Cannes Film Festival winners you can stream at home Cannes mayor David Lisnard said it was the town’s way of paying homage to cinema, and to show that “we miss the movies.” Cannes Film Festival to not go virtual, will team up with other movie galas to show selected films

Popcorn, palm trees and face masks: Cannes rolls out drive-in cinema

cannes-movies

Cannes Movies, News on Cannes Movies, stories on Cannes Movies, articles on Cannes Movies, Cannes Movies stories at Wion, Cannes Movies news, Cannes Movies latest news

cannes movies