Melanie Laurent-Host Opening Night Ceremony
The 64th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is in full swing today. The opening ceremony took place last night (May 11) at the Grand Théâtre Lumière located in the legendary Avenue de la Croisette in the small French Riviera town. Hosted by the young and beautiful French actress Mélanie Laurent, (“Inglorious Basterds” “Beginners”), the main guest in the ceremony seemed to be the city of New York. As president of this year’s Jury Robert de Niro received a musical tribute to his hometown and that of the festival he founded, the Tribeca Film Festival. Young jazzman Jamie Cullum played a medley of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York and Alicia Keys’ New York. There was also a montage of de Niro’s finest film located in the big apple: “Heat,” “The Godfather,” “A Bronx Tale,” “Raging Bull” and, of course “Taxi Driver.” The selection for the Opening Night film was “Midnight inParis” directed by the most new yorker of them all:WoodyAllen. Finally, when Italian filmmakerBernardoBertolucci received his honoraryPalme d’Or, he dedicated it toAllen and de Niro.
You can watch the entire opening ceremony at:
