By Nishtha Aggarwal

Abstract: The Festival de Cannes, established in 1946, is a revered film festival that has become a symbol of prestige and artistic excellence. This article explores the festival’s evolution, cultural significance, and enduring impact on the film industry and beyond. Cannes serves as a platform for artistic expression, a catalyst for the careers of filmmakers and actors, and a marketplace for film industry professionals. It has influenced filmmaking trends and styles, showcased notable films with artistic impact, and played a role in celebrity culture and fashion. Despite controversies and criticisms, Cannes remains a global phenomenon that celebrates the magic of storytelling and fosters international collaboration.

Since its inception in 1946, the Festival de Cannes has reigned as one of the most prestigious and influential film festivals in the world. Nestled on the glamorous French Riviera, this cinematic extravaganza has been an annual celebration of artistry, creativity, and cultural exchange. As the ultimate stage for filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals, Cannes has not only shaped the trajectory of global cinema but has also become a symbol of glamour, prestige, and artistic excellence. In this article, we embark on a historical deep-dive and cultural analysis of the Festival de Cannes, exploring its evolution, cultural significance, and enduring impact on the film industry and beyond. 

Cannes was established in 1946 as a response to the disruption caused by World War II in the global film industry. The founders aimed to create an event that would showcase and celebrate the art of filmmaking while fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. The inaugural festival was scheduled to take place in 1939 but was postponed due to the outbreak of the war. Cannes quickly gained recognition as a premier platform for the promotion of cinema from around the world. In its early years, the festival showcased a diverse range of films, including both popular genres and artistic endeavours. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that Cannes truly established its reputation as a significant cinematic event. The festival witnessed a surge in attendance and media coverage, attracting leading filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals.

Throughout its history, Cannes has been marked by several key milestones and significant moments. In 1955, the festival introduced the Palme d’Or, an award honouring the best film in the competition. This prestigious accolade has since become one of the most coveted prizes in the film industry. In the following decades, Cannes expanded its program, incorporating new sections dedicated to emerging talent, documentaries, and short films. The festival has also evolved in response to societal and cultural changes. In the 1960s and 1970s, Cannes became a platform for political and social activism, as filmmakers used the festival to address pressing issues of the time. In recent years, Cannes has embraced technological advancements, allowing for the inclusion of virtual reality experiences and interactive installations.

The Festival de Cannes holds a profound cultural significance, exerting an even more profound impact on the film industry and beyond. Cannes serves as a vital catalyst for the film industry, elevating the careers of filmmakers and actors alike. The festival’s prestigious Palme d’Or award acts as a cinematic seal of approval, propelling winning films to global recognition and increased distribution opportunities. As TIME puts it, the main benefit of a festival like Cannes is to give international filmmakers a platform, which is how a movie like Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2019 festival and went on to win the Oscar, could be seen by many Americans who weren’t just interested in Korean cinema. By providing a seal of approval to sceptical cinema coming from unknown countries, Cannes provides a worldwide platform to foreign filmmakers not only to put their films on the map of commercial cinematic interest but also laud them with the recognition required to reach critical acclaim at the Academy Awards. 

In addition, Cannes serves as a bustling marketplace for film industry professionals, facilitating networking, deal-making, and collaborations. The festival’s “Marché du Film”, one of the largest film markets globally, provides a platform for producers, distributors, and buyers to forge alliances, negotiate deals, and explore new avenues for film distribution.

Cannes also serves as a platform to support new, eccentric and innovative artistic styles in film and cinema. Cannes challenges directors and producers to challenge themselves and create non-conventional forms of art by providing a non-judgmental stage to depict these innovations. In turn, Cannes exerts a major influence on filmmaking trends and styles. Filmmakers look at Cannes as an opportunity to put their work on the map of its viewers and make culturally revolutionary changes in the industry. Cannes’ influence over filmmaking trends and culture is apparent from the masterful cinematography that has premiered here over the past, some examples being Taxi Driver (1976), Pulp Fiction (1994), and the more recent Korean drama, Parasite (2019). 

Over the years, the Cannes Festival has garnered controversy and debate regarding its influence on celebrity culture and shift in focus from film to fashion and paparazzi. It has been previously argued that it was the Cannes festival that offered unparalleled and spontaneous access to celebrities that eventually became the stock and trade of this type of photojournalism called the paparazzi. Moreover, it is now argued that the focus of the film festival in the public eye has shifted from a critical appraisal of film and cinema to a Met Gala-esque dissection of fashion looks and celebrity presence. Fashion choices at Cannes often become headlines and inspirations for fashion enthusiasts worldwide, sparking trends and influencing the direction of haute couture. Although the festival’s fashion partnerships and collaborations contribute to the convergence of cinema and fashion, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two industries, recent times have seen an extreme dissection of the fashion looks displayed at the festival that almost steals the focus away from the true purpose of it. 

The need for perfection grows as social media platforms flood with pictures of celebrities wearing painstakingly designed clothes. We find ourselves enmeshed in a culture that exalts impractical ideals, frequently ignoring the artistic expression and uniqueness hidden beneath these looks. Every Cannes and Met Gala red carpet outfit has come under close scrutiny over the years, and this has spread to an international level. People actively engage in discussions over who dressed best, analysing every element—from the designer selection to the smallest accessories—in great detail. Women are pressured to live up to these unattainable expectations in this culture of comparison, which exacerbates insecurities and lowers self-esteem. For example, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a frequent participant at Cannes, has endured years of ridicule for her erratic weight. The reasons for teasing her have gotten more and more absurd every year, whether it’s for being ridiculed for gaining weight after giving birth or just getting older since her 2002 Cannes debut.

The Cannes film festival has also garnered criticism regarding its perceived elitism and lack of diversity. Critics argue that the festival tends to favour established filmmakers and commercially viable films, potentially sidelining emerging talents and more diverse voices. There have been concerns regarding the quality and content of the films screened as well. Concerns have been raised about a perceived Eurocentric bias in film selection and the underrepresentation of films from certain regions or underrepresented communities. As British producer Mike Goodridge claimed, “The worst thing about Cannes, I suppose, is the rarefied nature of it. It is elitist. It is snobby. And yes, it is slow to change. The selection process isn’t flawless. There needs to be more fresh blood, just to mix it up. You do get sick of seeing the same old faces in the main competition.”

In conclusion, the Festival de Cannes stands as a testament to the power of cinema, artistic expression, and cultural exchange. Since its inception in 1946, Cannes has evolved into a global phenomenon, captivating audiences and shaping the trajectory of the film industry. With its rich history and cultural significance, the festival serves as a platform for artistic innovation, a launching pad for emerging talents, and a hub for international collaboration. Ithas also faced controversies and criticisms, prompting the festival to respond and strive for improvement. As Cannes continues to evolve and adapt, it remains a beacon of cinematic excellence, glamour, and the celebration of storytelling on the grandest stage.

About the Author

Nishtha Aggarwal is a second-year Economics and Psychology student at Ashoka University. 

Image Source:- https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/may/16/cannes-film-festival-2022-top-gun-elvis-triangle-sadness