The 2025 Cannes Film Festival opened with a highly charged political ceremony on Tuesday, marked by emotional tributes and outspoken criticism directed at world leaders.

French actress Juliette Binoche, who is presiding over this year’s Cannes jury tasked with awarding the coveted Palme d’Or, led a tribute to Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna.

Hassouna, 25, was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month along with her family, just a day after a documentary about her life was selected to premiere at the festival.

Addressing a star-studded audience, Binoche lamented the tragic loss, while also briefly acknowledging the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, which ignited the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The evening also saw Hollywood icon Robert De Niro take aim at U.S. President Donald Trump. A known critic of the president, De Niro did not hold back, describing Trump as a “philistine” during his acceptance speech for an honorary Palme d’Or, awarded in recognition of his illustrious career in cinema.The actor condemned Trump’s repeated funding cuts to the arts and education sectors, accusing him of deliberately undermining cultural development.

The politically charged ceremony set a serious tone for the 77th edition of the festival, which continues to blend cinematic celebration with urgent global issues.