The 79th Cannes Film Festival opens with sunshine, stars, and big questions about the global moment It’s mid-May in the south of France, which can only mean one thing: the Cannes Film Festival has begun. On day one of the festival, it was nothing but brilliant blue skies and blinding sunlight, a harbinger of all the good things to come. While the weather was light and pleasant, the festival takes place amid ongoing global conflicts, the ubiquity of artificial intelligence (AI), and an ever-changing world. As always, art – and Cannes – reflects the present-day moment. South Korean director, Park Chan-wook, who chairs this year’s jury, said on opening day during the jury press conference, “I don’t think politics and art should be divided. I think it’s a strange concept to think that they’re in conflict with each other. Just because a work of art has a political statement, it shouldn’t be considered an enemy of art.” Jurors were asked their reaction to being selected for the honor of being on the Cannes jury. Multi-Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) replied, “I was very excited. Especially when I heard it was going to be Park. I consider it to be a masterclass.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Festival de Cannes (@festivaldecannes) Juror Demi Moore, whose film The Substance premiered at Cannes in 2024, said, “I feel incredibly honored. My first thought is: Me? I had such a beautiful experience here a few years ago .” Noting the French Riviera locale, Moore said, “And who can complain about the incredible view in this beautiful place? I feel tremendously excited. I feel like a little kid.”