Zelenskyy tells Cannes audience 'we need a new Chaplin'

Ukrainian President compares films such as 'Apocalypse Now' to Ukraine's plight on French film festival's opening night

The 75th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday with an eye turned to Russia’s war in Ukraine and a live satellite video address from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called on a new generation of filmmakers to confront dictators as Charlie Chaplin satirised Adolf Hitler.

After tributes and musical numbers, Zelenskyy was streamed live for the formally attired audience who had gathered for the premiere of Michel Hazanavicius’ zombie comedy Final Cut.

Zelenskyy, dressed in his signature olive-green shirt, drew a thunderous standing ovation and spoke at length about the connection between cinema and reality. He referenced films such as Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and Chaplin’s The Great Dictator as not unlike Ukraine’s present circumstances.

Scroll through the gallery below to see opening night at the Cannes Film Festival:

Eva Longoria arrives for the screening of 'Final Cut' (Coupez!) and the opening ceremony of the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2022. EPA

Deepika Padukone arrives in a couture sari by Sabyasachi. All photos: Getty Images unless specified

Julianne Moore attends in a v-cut black satin gown.

Lashana Lynch in a white high neck gown.

Rebecca Hall wears a black and silver gown to the opening ceremony.

Tallia Storm in a bright colour block gown.

Forest Whitaker attends the opening ceremony gala dinner.

Agathe Rousselle in a caped metallic gown.

Patricia Campi and Gerard Jugnot attend.

Asghar Farhadi, Vincent Lindon and Jasmine Trinca attend.

Manuela Lamanna and Toni Servillo attend.

Catherine Corsini attends.

Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz attends.

Francoise Fabian attends.

Berenice Bejo attends.

Joanna Kulig attends. Getty Images

Rossy de Palma attends.

Edgar Ramírez and Noomi Rapace attend.

Tiziana Rocca attends.

Ladj Ly attends. Getty Images

Noomi Rapace attends.

Melita Toscan du Plantier attends.

Edith Bowman attends.

Virginie Efira attends.

Anne Parillaud attends.

Lolita Chammah attends.

Manuela Lamanna and Toni Servillo attend.

Nukaka Coster-Waldau and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau attend.

Sonia Bergamasco attends.

Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz attends.

Jasmine Trinca attends.

Yoshiko Takehara attends.

Emilia Schuele arrives.

Ginta Kubiliute.

Urvashi Rautela attends.

Loujain Adada attends.

Katherine Langford attends.

Farhana Bodi attends.

Alice Abdel Aziz attends.

Manal Benchlikha and Jean-Claude Jitrois attend.

Bebe Vio attends.

Frederique Bel attends.

Zelenskyy quoted Chaplin’s final speech in The Great Dictator, which was released in 1940, in the early days of the Second World War: “The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people.”

“We need a new Chaplin who will demonstrate that the cinema of our time is not silent,” implored Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian president pushed filmmakers not to “stay silent” while hundreds continue to die in his country, in the largest war in Europe since the Second World War, and show that cinema “is always on the side of freedom".

Scroll through the gallery below for the latest images from Ukraine:

A pro-Russian troop stands guard before the expected departure of Ukrainian soldiers, who surrendered at the besieged Azovstal steel mill in the course of conflict in Mariupol. Reuters

A Ukrainian soldier on reconnaissance in a recently retaken village on the outskirts of Kharkiv, east Ukraine. AP Photo

The destroyed part of the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol. AFP

US President Joe Biden, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto walk through the White House rose garden after discussing the war, as well as potential Nato membership, in Washington. AP

Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered at the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol are escorted by pro-Russian troops to Olenivka in the breakaway Donetsk region. Reuters

Ukrainian National Guard soldiers train in the woods of the Transcarpathian region. Reuters

A roof damaged during Russia's invasion of Ukraine is rebuilt in Moshchun village, near Kyiv. Reuters

Ukrainian children play war games at a "checkpoint" they set up in Stoyanka, near Kyiv. AFP

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, centre, on trial for war crimes in the Solomyansky district court in Kyiv, Ukraine. AFP

A controlled detonation of explosive devices is conducted near Borodianka, Ukraine. Reuters

A Russian serviceman adjusts the Soviet flag on a statue in Leninsky Komsomol Square in Mariupol, Ukraine. EPA

A couple leave a metro station where they had been living after fleeing Russian shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Getty Images

Ukrainian forces leave the Azovstal steel works plant in Mariupol. AFP

Russian militrary vehicles follow buses (not in picture) carrying Ukrainian troops being evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. EPA

Members of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic forces carry water bottles as the evacuation of Ukrainian soldiers is carried out in Mariupo. EPA

Ukrainian separatist troops and Russian soldiers, rear right, guard the buses with Ukrainian troops, in Mariupol. EPA

A member of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic forces escorts a Ukrainian fighter being evacuated from the steel plant. EPA

Russian militrary vehicles escort buses carrying Ukrainian troops from the Azovstal steel plant. EPA

A total of 265 Ukrainian militants, including 51 seriously wounded, laid down arms and surrendered to Russian forces, the Russian Ministry of Defence said on May 17. EPA

A Ukrainian soldier sits on a bus as troops are evacuated. EPA

Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 21 ordered his defence minister to not storm but blockade the plant where a number of Ukrainian fighters were holding out. EPA

Those in need of medical assistance were sent for treatment to a hospital in Novoazovsk, Russia said. EPA

Some of the Ukrainian troops evacuated from the steel plant. AP

A pro-Russian fighter stands guard next to a combat vehicle, before the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the besieged Azovstal steel mill,in Mariupol. Reuters

Pro-Russian troops wait before the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the Azovstal steel mill. Reuters

A wounded Ukrainian soldier evacuated from Mariupol is carried on a stretcher out of a bus, after arriving in Novoazovsk. Reuters

Buses carrying Ukrainian soldiers from the besieged Azovstal steel mill drive away under escort of the pro-Russian forces, in Mariupol. Reuters

Pro-Russian troops stand guard on a road in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters

Left to right, clockwise: Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Stanislav Zas, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), and Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko hold a meeting of CSTO leaders at the Kremlin in Moscow. AFP

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell answer questions from the media as Republican senators John Barrasso, Susan Collins and John Cornyn and US new ambassador to Finland Douglas Hickey listen, after a meeting at the president's official residence in Helsinki. Reuters

Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson speaks to the media before the parliamentary debate on Swedish Nato membership, in Stockholm. Reuters

Firefighters work at a scene of a missile strike, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, in Zatoka, Odesa region. Reuters

A closed McDonald's restaurant in Moscow. Reuters

A Ukrainian soldier walks past a wrecked Russian armoured personnel carrier, near Kutuzivka, north of Kharkiv. AP

A screengrab obtained from a video shows Ukrainian troops at the Ukraine-Russia border, in what was said to be the Kharkiv region. Reuters

Water gushes from a pump station after Ukrainian troops opened a dam to flood a residential area in Demydiv, to stop the advance of Russian forces towards the capital Kyiv. Reuters

Residental buildings damaged by shelling in Irpin, Kyiv region. EPA

Activists line up to form a peace sign in front of the building that houses the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, in Berlin. The event was organised by Greenpeace. AFP

Officials stand together for a photo at an informal meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin, with the focus on the potential membership of Finland and Sweden. Getty Images

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin (L) and President Sauli Niinisto hold a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, where they announced the country's intentions to apply for Nato membership. AP

An Ukrainian girl with the national flag painted on her face attends a cultural event in support of the besieged country in a metro station in Dnipro, Ukraine. Reuters

Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine are named the winners of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy. Getty Images

Members of the Ukrainian military celebrate Kalush Orchestra winning the Eurovision Song Contest, at their position in the Kyiv region. Reuters

Refugees from Mariupol region arrive at a registration and humanitarian aid centre for internally displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Reuters

A damaged street on the outskirts of Kharkiv. EPA

A damaged residential building on the outskirts of Kharkiv. EPA

Debris hangs from a regional government building in Mykolaiv, which was heavily damaged in a Russian attack. AP

Former students play table tennis in the playground of a destroyed school in Kharkiv. Reuters

The war is to be a regular presence in Cannes, where the festival has barred Russians with ties to the government from attending this year. Set to screen are several films from prominent Ukrainian filmmakers, including Sergei Loznitsa’s documentary The Natural History of Destruction. Footage shot by Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravicius before he was killed in Mariupol in April will also be shown by his fiancee, Hanna Bilobrova.

Even Final Cut, the latest film from The Artist filmmaker Hazanavicius, was renamed from its original title, Z, after Ukrainian protesters noted that the letter Z to some symbolises support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Formally attired stars including Eva Longoria, Julianne Moore, Berenice Bejo and No Time to Die star Lashana Lynch were among those who streamed down Cannes’ famous red carpet on Tuesday. More star-studded premieres — Top Gun: Maverick and Elvis — await over the next 12 days, during which 21 films will vie for the festival’s prestigious top award, the Palme d’Or.

'Armageddon Time'.

'The Eight Mountains'.

'Holy Spider'.

'Mother and Son'.

'RMN'.

'Decision to Leave'.

'EO'.

'Showing Up'.

'Nostalgia'.

'Triangle of Sadness'.

'Crimes Of The Future'.

'Broker'.

'Stars At Noon'.

'Close'.

'Leila's Brothers'.

'Tori and Lokita'.

'Tchaikovsky's Wife'.

'Brother and Sister'.

'Boy From Heaven'.

'Pacification'.

'Forever Young'.

But Tuesday’s opening and the carefully choreographed red-carpet parade leading up the steps to the Grand Theatre Lumiere again restored one of the movies’ grandest pageants after two years of pandemic that have challenged the exalted stature Cannes annually showers on cinema.

“Dear friends, let’s come out of this dark together,” said opening ceremony host Virginie Efira.

After last year requiring regular Covid-19 testing and masks in theatres — and no kisses on the red carpet — Cannes has largely done away with pandemic protocols. Masks are recommended inside but are rarely worn.

Cannes presented an honorary Palme d’Or to Forest Whitaker, who received a standing ovation. Whitaker, who won best actor at Cannes 34 years ago for his performance as Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood’s Bird, said that while ascending the steps to the Palais des Festivals on Tuesday, he could still hear chants of “Clint! Clint!” ringing in his ears. Eastwood is one of few others who have been awarded an honorary Palme.

On Tuesday, Cannes also unveiled the jury that will award the Palme d’Or. French actor Vincent Lindon is leading a jury that includes Deepika Padukone, Rebecca Hall, Asghar Farhadi, Trinca, Ladj Ly, Noomi Rapace, Jeff Nichols and Joachim Trier.

Jury member Deepika Padukone in an all-black ensemble at an event in Cannes. Photo: Instagram / deepikapadukone

Jury member Deepika Padukone at the premiere of 'Armageddon Time' on the third day of the Cannes Film Festival. AP

Jury member Deepika Padukone during a photocall of the on the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival. EPA

Padukone with British actress Rebecca Hall and Italian actress Jasmine Trinca on the balcony of the Martinez Hotel. EPA

Cannes Film Festival jury members from left to right: French director Ladj Ly; French actor and president of the jury Vincent Lindon; US film director Jeff Nichols; Iranian director Asghar Farhadi; Indian actress Deepika Padukone; British actress Rebecca Hall; Italian actress Jasmine Trinca; and Norwegian film director Joachim Trier on the eve of the opening ceremony. AFP

Deepika Padukone arriving at the Hotel Martinez dressed in Louis Vuitton. Reuters

(L-R) Jury members Indian actress Deepika Padukone, British actress Rebecca Hall, Italian actress Jasmine Trinca, and Norwegian film director Joachim Trier pose on the balcony of the Martinez Hotel ahead of the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, 16 May 2022. The festival runs from 17 to 28 May. EPA / GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO

Padukone wore a printed silk shirt and pleated wool trousers from Sabyasachi's Tropic of Calcutta collection, and finished her look with a statement necklace made up of multicoloured gemstones and uncut diamonds by the designer. Getty Images

Deepika Padukone leaves the Festival Palace after attending a photocall and a press conference during the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. AFP

Deepika Padukone at the screening of 'Final Cut (Coupez!)' on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images

For the Cannes opening night red carpet, Padukone wore a Sabyasachi couture sari, a black and gold sequin-striped piece, which is part of the designer's Aakash Tara collection. Getty Images

Designer Sabyasachi said Deepika's sari 'celebrates heritage Indian crafts and techniques through a modern lens'. AP

Jury members Rebecca Hall and Deepika Padukone at the screening of 'Final Cut (Coupez!)' on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival. Getty Images

Padukone wore a custom made Louis Vuitton gown at the screening of 'Armageddon Time', which stars Anne Hathaway, Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Strong. AFP

Padukone paired her Louis Vuitton dress with statement necklace by Cartier. Getty Images

Padukone with jury president, actor Vincent Lindon on the red carpet. Getty Images

Deepika Padukone attended a Louis Vuitton dinner in Cannes dressed in a jacket dress paired with knee-high boots by the brand. Photo: Instagram / deepikapadukone

Deepika Padukone in an all-black ensemble and Cartier jewellery at an event in Cannes. Photo: Instagram / deepikapadukone

Padukone at the screening of South Korean film 'Decision to Leave' on May 23. EPA

The black custom Louis Vuitton dress was adorned with shimmering tassels and featured a floor-sweeping train. EPA

Padukone paired her dress with minimalist accessories, wearing a pair of earrings by Cartier, finishing off the look with black strappy stilettos. Getty Images

Padukone at the screening of 'The Innocent' on May 24. Getty Images

The Bollywood star collaborated again with Lebanese designer Mohammed Ashi's label Ashi Studio wearing a striking orange strapless taffeta gown. Getty Images

The custom dress with drape details around the shoulder fit the star 'like a glove', Ashi Studio said. Getty Images

On May 24, Padukone also attended the Cannes 75 anniversary dinner, again wearing a dress by Ashi Studio. Getty Images

The white suit, with dramatic balloon sleeves, was signature Ashi Studio, a label known for its architectural designs. Getty Images

Padukone at the screening of the film 'Elvis' on May 25. AFP

For the 'Elvis' premiere, Padukone wore a dress from Louis Vuitton's cruise 2023 collection, featuring a giant bolero filled with tinsel. Getty Images

Padukone in a flowery Richard Quinn dress on the street in Cannes. Photo: Instagram / shaleenanathani

Padukone attends the closing ceremony in a white sari by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Getty Images

French actor and President of the Jury of the 75th Cannes Film Festival Vincent Lindon, fourth right, arrives with, from left, French director Ladj Ly, Norwegian film director Joachim Trier, US film director Jeff Nichols, British actress Rebecca Hall, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, Italian actress Jasmine Trinca, Indian actress Deepika Padukone and Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi for the closing ceremony of the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. AFP

Padukone wraps up her Cannes jury experience. AFP

Questions of gender equality have long surrounded the Cannes Film Festival, where no more than five female filmmakers have ever been a part of the Palme competition line-up and only two women directors have won it. On Monday, Fremaux defended the festival, arguing that it selects films purely on the basis of quality. Hall, who last year made her directorial debut with the film Passing, was asked about her opinion on Cannes’ record.

“I believe that it is a work in progress. I mean for the whole film industry, not just the Cannes Film Festival,” replied Hall. “The way of dealing with these things needs to be addressed on a grassroots level as well. It’s not just the festivals or public-facing situations. It’s about all the minutiae of what goes into the industry at large.”

Farhadi, the Oscar-winning Iranian director, also spoke for the first time about a continuing plagiarism suit regarding his previous film, A Hero, which won the Grand Prix in Cannes last year. A former film student of Farhadi’s, Azadeh Masihzadeh, has accused him of stealing the idea of the film from a 2018 documentary she made in a workshop taught by Farhadi.

Speaking at length, Farhadi said A Hero was not based on the documentary.

“It was based on a current event so this documentary and this film are based on an event that happened two years prior to the workshop,” Farhadi said. “When an event takes place and is covered by the press, then it becomes public knowledge and you can do what you like about the event. You can write a story or make a film about the event. You can look up the information on this event. A Hero is just one interpretation of this event.”

At the tradition-upholding Cannes, the world’s largest and most glitzy temple to film, cinema, controversy and glamour swirl together in a 12-day spectacle of red-carpet premieres and rampant movie deal-making up and down the Croisette. Theatrical release is a requirement of any film vying for the Palme, which has prevented streaming services from playing a big role at Cannes.

But this year, one new festival partner — TikTok — has raised some eyebrows. The festival is hosting TikTok creators from around the world and holding a separate contest for best (very short) videos created during the festival. Thierry Fremaux, artistic director of Cannes, said TikTok wasn’t the future of cinema.

“The cinema remains the final art,” Fremaux said.