Cannes Film Festival: Scandals and glamour

By Joseph De Monvallier




It's probably the most distinguished film festival in the world and its more than seventy years of history prove it. Since its beginnings, The Cannes International Film Festival has marked the history of seventh art for the creativity of its rivals, its glamour and scandals.

Despite being officially created in 1939, its origins can be tracked to the beginnings of that decade. Even more surprising, the 1st edition just happened in 1947.

But let's begin with the beginnings. In the 1st years of the 30s, politics were influencing the final jury's decisions in the Venice holiday, giving advantage to films in which viewers and politicians could see a wink to Benito Mussolini's fascism politics.

Subsequently, French and American filmmakers made a decision to promote the idea of creating a new holiday in which art would be awarded, independent of any political influence. So, two cities were offered to host the event: Cannes and Biarritz. At the end, the elected was the 1st one.

Everything was going well and the date for the first edition was chosen to be in September of 1939, but all of a sudden happened what everybody feared in Europe: Hitler ultimately invaded Poland and the World War II started, delaying the festival till 1947 when the conflict was over. In that first edition, Luis Lumiere, one of the fathers of the cinematography, was chosen as the president of the jury.

Across the years, The Cannes Film Holiday has experienced small but important changes, among them, the identification of the Golden Palms the highest prize given in the festival. The decision was keenly supported by the outstanding French artist Suzaanne Lazon.

In the 60s, the festival was well established and recognised amongst the most vital in the world, having awarded filmmakers like Luis Buuel and Federico Fellini. A decade later , the selection format for competing movies modified. Before, every country was autonomous to pick the film to represent the nation. After the change, the festival's directives were those who chose the films taking part in the competition

With the new format, directors such as Martin Scorcese, Francis Ford Coppola and Ridley Scott, were awarded with Golden Palms.

In the 60s, the festival was well established and recognised amongst the most vital in the world, having awarded filmmakers like Luis Buuel and Federico Fellini. A decade later on the selection format for competing movies changed. Before, every country was autonomous to pick the film to represent the country. After the change, the festival's directives were those who selected the films partaking in the competition

With the new format, directors like Martin Scorcese, Francis Ford Coppola and Ridley Scott, were awarded with Golden Palms.

The Golden Palms

It is the award each filmmaker would love to win, for what it represents within the industry and out of it. But many people ask what does The Golden Palm represent? Why a golden palm? The answer isn't as difficult as it appears to be.

The highest prize in The Cannes World Film Festival is The Golden Palm as a tribute to the city's coat of arms, in which a palm is represented. The award design has changed across the years as well as its status as the highest award given in the holiday.

Therefore, made in 1955, The Golden Palm was the highest honour given till it needed to be changed in 1964 due to legal restrictions. From that year and till 1975 the main award the jury gave to rivals was the Grand Prix. Nevertheless The Golden Palm returned to become the most significant prize and the symbol of the festival.




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