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If the Cannes Film Festival were a person, it would be that effortlessly cool celebrity who never ages, always dresses in haute couture, and somehow knows everybody. As the French Riviera braces itself for another whirlwind of glitz and glamour from May 13 to 24, Cannes 2025 is already being touted as one of the most star-studded editions in recent memory. A staggering lineup of cinematic legends, rising auteurs, and streaming-era provocateurs are converging on the Côte d'Azur, proving that the festival's sparkle has only grown brighter.
Leading the parade is Tom Cruise, returning with "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning," hoping lightning strikes twice after the billion-dollar success of Maverick. While he won't be taking home an honorary Palme d'Or, that honor belongs to the indomitable Robert De Niro, returning nearly 50 years after Taxi Driver's iconic win. Spike Lee, never one to tiptoe around controversy, presents "Highest 2 Lowest," starring Denzel Washington in a Kurosawa-inspired plot that's bound to grab eyeballs—and maybe raise a few eyebrows.
The competition for the Palme d'Or reflects a generational shift. Wes Anderson is back with "The Phoenician Scheme," this time adding Riz Ahmed and Kate Winslet's daughter Mia Threapleton to his signature ensemble. Ari Aster brings "Eddington" in his Cannes debut, a surreal thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. Seven female directors have been nominated—a record for the festival—including Lynne Ramsay, Kelly Reichardt, Carla Simón, and breakout German talent Mascha Schilinski.
Cannes also continues to serve as a launchpad for global cinema. Jafar Panahi's return with "A Simple Accident," and the much-buzzed Nigerian film "My Father's Shadow" in the Un Certain Regard section, reinforce the festival's commitment to international storytelling. And the Directors' Fortnight will feature politically charged entries, including the poignant "Yes!" by Nadav Lapid and Sepideh Farsi's war-time documentary Put Your Soul On Your Hand And Walk, already gaining attention following the tragic death of its subject, Fatima Hassouna.
Even with the weight of world events and streaming wars in the backdrop, Cannes remains unshaken. The festival's curators reviewed close to 3,000 films to curate a lineup that balances the industry's biggest names with raw, daring newcomers. Though Hollywood politics may try to sneak in—like President Trump's vague threat to tax foreign films—the festival marches on in full splendor. And just like every year, the biggest thrill might not be on the red carpet but in a quiet screening room where the next cinematic masterpiece awaits discovery. For Cannes, the show doesn't just go on—it roars.
