77th Cannes Film Festival begins. Know about its #MeToo moment and workers warning

The much-awaited Cannes Film Festival began in the French capital Paris on Tuesday. It opened with the French comedy 'The Second Act' starring Lea Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphael Quenard. The best-known stars will soon begin flowing down Cannes' famous red carpet. The 10-day festival began with Greta Gerwig's jury and the presentation of an honorary Palme d'Or for Meryl Streep.

Films to premiere

The French Riviera spectacular kicked off a potentially volatile 77th edition. It will premiere George Miller's “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," and Francis Ford Coppola's “Megalopolis” besides new movies from Paolo Sorrentino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold and Kevin Costner.

#MeToo moment

French actor Judith Godreche will premiere her short 'Moi Aussi'. Earlier his year, she created controversy when the actor accused two film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager. When she was asked about #MeToo expanding in France, Greta Gerwig told reporters that it's progress. She said, "I think people in the community of movies telling us stories and trying to change things for the better is only good. I have seen substantive change in the American film community, and I think it’s important that we continue to expand that conversation."

Jury members

Gerwig has been elected president of the jury that will decide Cannes' top award, the Palme d'Or. Praising her, Thierry Fremaux called Gerwig “the ideal director” for Cannes, given her ability to work across arthouse and studio film and her interest in cinema history.

Gerwig will be joined in the jury by Lily Gladstone, French actor Eva Green, Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona, French actor Omar Sy, Lebanese actor and director Nadine Labaki. Besides, Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino will also be on the jury.

Stars to sparkle

Stars expected to participate in the festival include:
Emma Stone, Anya Taylor-Joy, Demi Moore, Selena Gomez, Nicolas Cage and Barry Keoghan.

At the closing ceremony on May 25, George Lucas is to receive an honorary Palme d'Or.

Workers threaten strike

Behind the flash, red carpet, film shows, glamor and fashion, dark realities also exist. Festival workers, angry with short-term contracts that leave them unqualified for unemployment benefits in between festivals, have threatened to strike.

FAQs:

Who are the jury members of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival?
Gerwig has been elected president of the jury that will decide Cannes' top award, the Palme d'Or. She will be joined in the jury by Lily Gladstone, French actor Eva Green, Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona, French actor Omar Sy, and Lebanese actor and director Nadine Labaki. Besides, Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino will also be on the jury.

Why have festival workers warned of a strike?
Festival workers, angry with short-term contracts that leave them unqualified for unemployment benefits in between festivals, have threatened to strike.