Cannes Opening Night Starts With Rape Joke Aimed at Woody Allen
Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and Woody Allen at the Cannes opening gala (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
The 69th annual Cannes Film Festival got off to an awkward start when Woody Allen, whose new film “Cafe Society” kicked off the fest, was subject of a rape joke during Wednesday night’s opening ceremony.
“It’s very nice that you’ve been shooting so many movies in Europe, even if you are not being convicted for rape in the U.S.,” said master of ceremony Laurent Lafitte.
The joke, which drew gasps from the Palais audience, was taken as a knock on Allen and director Roman Polanski.
Lafitte co-stars in Paul Verhoeven’s rape drama, “Elle,” which premieres next week at Cannes.
“Thank you for coming tonight, sir,” he continued in French.
The 80 year-old filmmaker had just received a standing ovation just minutes before.
Later, popular French actor Matthieu Chedid a.k.a. M performed a special tribute to Prince, singing “Purple Rain” against a purple backdrop to the delight of the crowd.
Allen, joined by cast members Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg and Blake Lively amid the umbrellas on the rainy red carpet, was making his 12th Cannes appearance with the movie. It was his third time opening the international fest. “Cafe Society,” a fairy tale set in 1930s Hollywood, made for an appropriate launch to a festival that focuses on classic movie-star glamour.
Stewart plays a secretary torn between her boss (Steve Carell), an industry agent, and his much younger nephew (Eisenberg). Allen doesn’t appear in the film, instead using his voice as the narrator.
Before the opening ceremony, the Palais’ red carpeted-steps welcomed Hollywood stars like Justin Timberlake, Jessica Chastain, Eva Longoria and Naomi Watts. Timberlake was in France to promote his new animated film “Trolls” opposite Anna Kendrick, who wore a stunning yellow gown.
“Cannes is an extraordinary festival, I see so many people I know and the audience always responds well,” said Allen before the festivities. “I like Hollywood, seeing friends there but I couldn’t live there.”
Jury president George Miller, whose “Mad Max: Fury Road” wowed Cannes last year, was honored with a montage of his career during the ceremony.
“I will tell you this jury will deliberate very assiduously,” he told the audience.
While on the red carpet, jury member Laszlo Nemes said to Canal Plus journo in a flawless French that the alchemy between his fellow jury members already worked well. “At the same time, everyone seems to have strong opinions so it will be it will interesting,” said Nemes with a smile.
Actress Kirsten Dunst, a member of this year’s jury, said “George Miller is so kind. He brings everyone together in a nice way.”
Also in attendance on the red carpet: Belgian actress Virginie Efira, who stars in Paul Verhoeven’s “Elle” which is competing and Justine Triet which is opening Critics’ Week.
At Wednesday’s early morning press screenings, word of mouth on “Cafe Society” wasn’t great. But the pic, which opens July 15 in the U.S., was met with a warmer reception than Allen’s previous recent films, including “Irrational Man” (which screened at Cannes last year) or “Magic in the Moonlight.”
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