Complete with its signature films, fashion, and flamboyance, Cannes Film Festival 2021 has another trait thrown into the mix–pandemic-induced protocols. We tell you all about this new avatar of the glitzy gala. By Yagnoseni Das
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Following its cancellation last year due to the pandemic, the most glamorous and glitzy festival known to the world, Cannes Film Festival, returns to celebrate cinema once again. The 74th annual Cannes Film Festival is taking place from July 6 to 17, 2021, after being rescheduled from May 11, 2021. The fact that it is taking place in a physical format seems bizarre after a lengthy period of confinement. However, the festival will most likely not look like the ones that have taken place in the past as hand sanitisers and masks make their way to the list of accessories on this year’s red carpet.
Cannes Film Festival 2021 and COVID-19
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The organisers decided to kick off the event considering Coronavirus infections in Cannes are not as fast-paced as the national per capita average, and also because vaccinations are accelerating in Europe. Even then, to ensure total safety, individuals attending are required to always wear masks during the festival events. Rapid tests for the Coronavirus will take place every 48 hours. Those waiting in lines for screening are to maintain a distance of one metre from one another.
“We always said last year that if the festival was cancelled, it was because the situation was more serious than the existence of a film festival—also the biggest festival in the world. And the situation, as you know, was serious. It is not over. The epidemic is not conquered. But this year, we will have to be careful — be reasonable and be very careful,” said Thierry Frémaux, artist director of the festival, at the press conference on the eve of opening day, reports Firstpost.
“Our goal is to have an air-tight sanitary protocol that will not cause too much discomfort for attendees. The challenge there is to find a middle ground between safety and comfort,” said Cannes general secretary, François Desrousseaux.
Cannes Film Festival 2021 Jury
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This year, Spike Lee will be the President of the jury, the first black person to hold this title. It will also be a female-majority jury, given the festival has faced criticism in recent years for its lack of female representation. Mélanie Laurent, Mati Diop, Mylène Farmer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessica Hausner, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Tahar Rahim, and Song Kang-Ho will be assisting Lee.
India at Cannes Film Festival 2021
India is participating at the Cannes Film Market 2021 virtually, thanks to the pandemic. The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, inaugurated the virtual ‘Indian Pavilion’ at Cannes Film Market, 2021, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the late legendary Indian director, Satyajit Ray.
Invisible Demons, a documentary on Delhi’s air pollution, directed by Rahul Jain, a Delhi-born filmmaker, will represent Indian cinema at Cannes’ official selection. Also, Nandlal Nayak’s Dhumkkudiya, based on the true story of a 14-year-old survivor of human trafficking and sexual abuse, will be screened at the event on July 12.
Cannes for the climate
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With the introduction of a new section dedicated to the issue of climate change, this year the festival is promoting new efforts to reduce its CO2 emissions and waste. Special programmes on films focusing on climate protection (Above Water by Aïssa Maïga, and Animal by Cyril Dion to name a few) have been organised. Adding to that, the usage of plastic bottles have been completely eradicated from the event, and electric cars occupy most of its official car fleet.
Other highlights
- The festival will kickstart with the screening of Annette by French cult director, Leos Carax; and close with the screening of From Africa with Love, directed by Nicolas Bedos.
- This year, the film festival will pay tribute to Italian director Marco Bellocchio.
- Veteran Hollywood actor and filmmaker, Jodie Foster will be receiving the honorary Palme d’Or at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.
- Annette (Leos Carax), A Hero (Asghar Farhadi), Tout s’est bien passe (François Ozon), and Tre Piani (Nanni Moretti) are among the 24 films competing for the Palme d’Or this year.
- After Édouard Baer, Cannes Film Festival has selected French actor Doria Tillier as the mistress of this year’s ceremony. She will be hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival.
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