Surrounded by friends, the Festival de Cannes celebrated its 70th anniversary in an evening that was less of a ceremony and more an opportunity for discussion. A chance to talk about cinema, the history of film and the Festival, with directors from every generation, and actors and actresses too… Earlier that day, an exceptional photocall had brought together over one hundred artists for a family photo: Palme d’or winners, Presidents and Jury members… At 7 pm, the Grand Théâtre Lumière’s stage curtain rose for a first montage that chronicled Grand openings of the Festival de Cannes before Thierry Frémaux welcomed guests, including: Pedro Almodóvar, Andrea Arnold, Jane Campion, Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo Del Toro, Matteo Garrone, Michael Haneke, Alejandro Iñárritu, Ken Loach, George Miller, Nicolas Winding Refn, Jia Zhangke, Claude Lelouch… But someone was missing… Isabelle Huppert perhaps? Waiting in the wings, she took to the stage to introduce a film that looked back at her illustrious career. 
Isabelle Huppert – 70th Anniversary Evening © Valery Hache / AFP “Tonight, we join together to celebrate 70 years of marriage between Cannes and the cinema… For Jean Cocteau, who presided over the Jury in 1953, the Festival had no real meaning unless it was “a meeting of hearts and minds”. Perhaps this is the secret to a long-lasting marriage, the secret of a 70-year love story, the meeting of hearts and minds.”
The actress, who presided over the evening alongside Thierry Frémaux, then introduced the second themed montage on the history of the Festival, this time with a focus on women. For it has to be said, as she made clear in her introduction, that the Festival has, year in and year out, highlighted the profiles, stories and views of women.
Other montages filled the celebration with memories and emotion: including a film looking back at Palmes d’or winners and another on memorable prize giving ceremonies, as well as montages focusing on scandals, and even childhood, as Thierry Frémaux recalled: “We, the cinema enthusiasts, both those who produce films and those who celebrate them, have refused to grow old. Because cinema is also about continuing to delight the child in all of us…” 
Guillermo Del Toro -70th Anniversary Evening © Valery Hache / AFP Next it was the turn of Guillermo Del Toro, one of the most influential members of the new wave of Mexican cinema and a global success, to deliver a speech on tolerance. “Today, in the post-truth era we live in, we need to talk about monsters. Gauge them against those we live with. Find a renewed sense of empathy. Forgive our sins and imperfections and rebel against those who claim that it is “the other” that we should beware of. Against those who tell us that there is an “us” and “them”, who we must reject, and who demonize anything that stands out from the norm.” 
Vianney – 70th Anniversary Evening © Valery Hache / AFP On the musical side, the evening featured two live performances to commemorate soundtracks from key films in the Festival’s history. The first was performed by Camélia Jordana and Babx as a tribute to The Piano, Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) and Un homme et une femme (A Man and a Woman). The second performance was delivered by Vianney, accompanied by Manu Katché and Laurent Vernerey reinterpreting Pulp Fiction, Une aussi longue absence (The Long Absence), Youth, Wild at Heart, We Own the Night, Moulin Rouge. 
Vincent Lindon – 70th Anniversary Evening © Valery Hache / AFP As the evening drew to a close, all that remained was to hear the deep, captivating voice of Vincent Lindon. The French actor and winner of the Best Actor Award in 2015 for La Loi du marché (The Measure of a Man) drew on the words of Vaclav Havel, Albert Camus and André Bazin to launch an appeal to the profession, to those who, more than anyone else, have the power to change the world. “Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the guardian of a strenuous sense of integrity, without which the world would not be the place it is today. This obstinacy has resulted in Cannes becoming the world’s greatest film festival. Each of us can change the world. I am one of those people who believe that a great director has this power, that it is the duty of actresses and actors to be chosen by the best, those who carry within them a vast and unique world, those who never fail to challenge received opinion, who seek to show and tell rather than to please.”
“Cinema replaces our vision with a world that matches our desires”
70th Anniversary Evening © Valery Hache / AFP Before departing, the extended cinema family came together once again on the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière to sing an “Happy Birthday to you!”. On the front row, one of its prodigal sons, Jean-Pierre Léaud.]]>
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Napoléon by Abel Gance (1st period) opening Cannes Classics at the 77th Festival de Cannes
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Making yet another major power move, three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated Nigerian global superstar and Afrobeats pioneer Davido has inked a deal with UnitedMasters for his recently launched label Nine+ Records.
In this groundbreaking collaboration, Davido will spearhead artist development, A&R, and behind-the-scenes curation, nurturing a pioneering lineup of artists across the continent under Nine+ Records. United by a shared vision, the teams will work together to introduce and foster talent, amplifying Davido’s influence and extending his reach even further. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of African and world music.
Together, the teams will collaborate closely in order to not only introduce, but cultivate career talent. It only expands Davido’s influence and reach.
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Of today’s announcement Davido said, “I couldn’t be more proud to partner with Steve and the team at United Masters, this announcement represents an exciting new chapter for developing and established artists around the world.”
Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of UnitedMasters states, “Over the last 2 years, we’ve proven our commitment to Africa investing in artists, education, and technology. Today, we are doubling down. With this new venture with Davido & the launch of Nine Plus Records, we reinforce our mission in becoming a bridge for artists on the continent. Together we’ll identify & develop new artists while supporting them with brand and synch opportunities.”
Nine+ Records will be announcing more artists and partners in the future.
Last night, Davido just sold out one of the most iconic venues in the world, headlining Madison Square Garden in New York City. He ignited the stage with what will be remembered as a historic set, bringing Afrobeats to the Big Apple in the biggest way possible. In advance of the show, he extensively spoke to Billboard who praised how “Performing in New York has also become a special ritual” for him.
This news also arrives on the heels of various major company announcements for UnitedMasters. The company locked down a high-profile alliance with SymphonyOS and Groover. Plus, it hosted its annual “A Celebration of Independence” GRAMMY® Concert at the Palladium in Hollywood, CA. The show boasted an all-star lineup, including headliner Davido, Uncle Waffles, Tokischa, Donavan’s Yard, and NLE Choppa. Of the latter, The Source wrote, “This marked the first time UnitedMasters featured international acts, solidifying its impact and representation within the global independent artist movement.”
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Baloji and Emmanuelle Béart will co-preside over the Caméra d’or Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes
The 77th Festival de Cannes will feature an unprecedented yet self-evident pairing at the head of the Caméra d’or Jury. As rich dialogue and inspiring gaze arise from encounters, the Festival de Cannes is eager to bring together Emmanuelle Béart and Baloji to co-preside over the Jury that will honor one of the first films presented in the Festival’s Official Selection or its parallel sections.
An unprecedented pairing since French actress Emmanuelle Béart and director and songwriter Baloji, who evolves in Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have never met. She has worked with some of the world’s greatest filmmakers, dazzling both screen and stage with her incandescent performance. He is a bold, visionary creator, who made two short films before receiving the New Voice Prize at Un Certain Regard in 2023 for his acclaimed debut feature Omen.
An obvious pairing as both are free spirits with no limits, who rely on their art to achieve creative freedom. Through her impressive filmography and her humanitarian commitment, Emmanuelle Béart is forever supporting a filmmaking to be shared, to emancipate, transcend borders and help us live together. Baloji, in his first feature film with impressive aesthetic mastery, delivers a chronicle that transcends otherness through the prism of magical realism.
Delighted to be paired at the head of the Caméra d’or Jury, Baloji and Emmanuelle Béart will combine their voices to welcome the first features of filmmakers who look at the world with inspiration, tell us about it with emotion and invite us to discuss it with the conviction of beginnings. “Being a self-taught filmmaker and a filmmaker from the Congolese diaspora,” confides Baloji, “it’s a great honour to be able to witness the vitality of first-time directors, to discover their strong singularities and their inaugural work, which will have a lasting impact on the identity of their filmography.” Emmanuelle Béart declares: “A first film is about the impossibility of doing anything other than delving into the depths of one’s being to find out what we can’t keep quiet about. A deeply moving and terribly free birth: no one is waiting for you yet. We will honor our duty with wonder and respect.”
The Caméra d’or Jury has been co-chaired three times before: by actress Françoise Fabian and director Daniel Schmid in 1996, by Marthe Keller and Géraldine Chaplin in 2002, and by brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne in 2006.
In 2023, the Caméra d’Or was awarded to Pham Thien An for Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell by the Jury presided over by French actress Anaïs Demoustier
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