Cannes Woes: Is the Cannes Film Festival the Latest Casualty in the Downfall of Prestige Awards?
The Cannes Film Festival used to be one of those events whose name was breathed with reverence. On par with other top festivals, such as the Venice Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes has long been the destination for prestige film.
However, if the media coverage of the renowned festival is anything to go by, the esteem towards Cannes seems to be slipping.
While there have been some reported festival highlights, such as Tom Cruise's surprise honorary Palme d'Or and subsequent red-white-and-clue fighter jet tribute and five-minute long standing ovation for Top Gun: Maverick, the reporting on Cannes seems largely negative or even worse, tone deaf.
Aside from Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux attempting to censor media interviews by removing potentially problematic statements, there have been widespread reports of crashing ticketing systems, faulty transportation, missing luggage, and even stolen goods .
On top of that, security issues, such as a topless female pro-Ukraine protester breaching the Cannes red carpet premiere for George Miller's Three Thousand Years of Longing and feminist protesters with smoke devices disrupting the red carpet for Ali Abbasi's Holy Spider, have dominated headlines.
Even South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook's triumphant return to Cannes with Decision to Leave and its five-minute-long standing ovation was overshadowed by tech issues, with the camera that would normally show the filmmakers' reactions not working - hardly a good look for a prestige festival attended by the world's stars.
So, what does all this mess mean for Cannes?
All this negative media exposure seems to indicate that the festival's grip on preeminence is far from secure. Judging from Frémaux and the festival's public stance, Cannes still sees itself as unimpeachable, with a reputation that's beyond reproach.
However, with current culture steering away from prestige award shows - see current attitudes toward the Grammys, Oscars, and the Golden Globes - even Cannes can't stay above criticism. It's sheer arrogance to not take the festival's blunders for what they are: Exercises of hubris that the public simply won't just take quietly anymore.
Best of luck to Cannes attendees - it looks like you all are in for a frustrating time. And, welcome Cannes, to becoming a brand-new target of critique for the current age.
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