Cannes Film Festival 2024: Jury addresses political issues as theme

Presided over by Greta Gerwig, the Cannes jury faced questions during their press conference

The 2024 Cannes Film Festival jury, presided over by Greta Gerwig, faced a barrage of questions on political issues during their press conference. 

Despite artistic director Thierry Frémaux's attempt to steer the focus towards cinema, the jurors engaged with questions about France's #MeToo movement, labour strikes, and the inclusion of a Donald Trump film in the competition.

Gerwig expressed her support for the #MeToo movement and labour unions, emphasising the importance of dialogue and change as reported by The Hollywood reporter.. 

When asked about the Donald Trump movie, she emphasised approaching every film with an open mind.

Film journalist Chaz Ebert questioned whether it was appropriate to ignore global controversies while judging films for the Palme d'Or. Gerwig responded by highlighting cinema's unique ability to foster reflection and discussion on complex issues.

Other jurors, like Lily Gladstone and Pierfrancesco Favino, shared their perspectives on the role of cinema in addressing global challenges and promoting beauty and peace.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival opened with the premiere of "Le Deuxième Acte," and over the next 11 days, the festival will showcase highly anticipated films from renowned directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sean Baker, and many others.