Bad gala and Zelensky’s speech
The Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 17, 2022, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The opening night featured Michel Hazanavicius’s zombie comedy Final Cut. The project, originally titled “Z,” sparked controversy across Europe and was quickly renamed on the eve of the festival. The film, framed by its creator as a bold statement, drew mixed reactions from critics who felt it relied too heavily on opportunistic elements rather than a cohesive vision.
The opening ceremony is remembered for its emotionally charged moments, including references to anti-militarist cinema. A notable moment came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside echoes of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator and Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, creating a politically resonant atmosphere on the red carpet.
Tom Cruise’s victory and Serebrennikov’s success
Tom Cruise debuted his new film, Top Gun: Maverick, a direct sequel to the iconic 1980s hit that helped catapult Cruise to global fame. The movie, produced as a new milestone in his career, earned a standing ovation lasting five minutes. Critics generally praised it as a well-crafted blockbuster that balances large-scale action with strong character moments. At Cannes, Cruise received the honorary Palme d’Or alongside actor Forest Whitaker.
In another spotlight moment, George Miller’s Three Thousand Years of Longing, a new project from the creator of Mad Max, drew warm responses. The premiere featured a surprising pairing between a female archaeologist (as portrayed by Tilda Swinton) and a magical genie (Idris Elba). The film collected a standing ovation of six minutes and positions itself as a strong Oscar contender for the season.
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic also drew acclaim. Austin Butler, who embodies the legendary performer, was already being hailed as a likely Oscar nominee, while the film itself secured a record-setting 12-minute standing ovation at this year’s festival.
Cruise, Miller, and Luhrmann celebrated their non-competitive triumphs within the festival’s main program, which also featured high-profile broadcasts and industry discussions that drew widespread attention.
The festival opened with James Gray’s semi-autobiographical Armageddon Time, set in the 1980s. Gray revisits the period as a new American presidency unfolds, and the director reflects on his own school years alongside a remarkable ensemble that includes Anne Hathaway, Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, and Oscar Isaac. The film’s personal perspective and star-studded cast have sparked lively discussion among critics and viewers alike.
Many eyes also focused on Park Chan-wook’s most anticipated work, Decision to Leave. This stylish noir romance follows a detective who develops feelings for the wife of a murder suspect, challenging conventional genre boundaries. Critics have compared it to a modern classic in the vein of In the Mood for Love, calling it a quintessential neo-noir experience.
David Cronenberg brought his return to the screen with Crimes of the Future, a provocative tale about an artist who discovers a controversial way to earn a living. The story follows an unconventional transformation that pushes boundaries and raises questions about art, body, and society. Critics describe the film as a crisp, visually striking entry that nods to Cronenberg’s signature style while pushing into contemporary themes.
International attention also turned to Kirill Serebrennikov, the only Russian director selected for the competition. He presented Tchaikovsky’s Wife, starring Alena Mikhailova in a performance that received praise for its intensity. While Western critics lauded Mikhailova’s acting, some reviewers found the narrative ambition challenging, with opinions divided on the film’s scope and execution.
Russia represented by Victoria Bonya
In 2022 the festival’s organizers did not permit an official Russian delegation or press access due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Yet on the opening night, Russian social figure Victoria Bonya walked the red carpet as a regular guest. Her appearance sparked debate over the festival’s consistency, with some critics accusing management of dual standards while others viewed the event as an inclusive platform for global cinema.
Nude activist on the red carpet
On May 20, during the premiere of Three Thousand Years Wishes, a French activist appeared nearly nude, his chest painted with the Ukrainian flag. The moment underscored ongoing anti-military sentiment surrounding the festival. Additionally, members of the crew behind the Ukrainian film Vision of a Butterfly—director Maxim Nakonechny and producers Daria Bassel and Elizaveta Smith—took to the red carpet wearing T-shirts that depicted destroyed Ukrainian cities, signaling solidarity with affected communities.