Robert De Niro didn’t hold back at the Cannes Film Festival.
After laying low for a bit, he jumped right back into his criticism of Donald Trump while accepting the honorary Palme d’Or.
During the festival’s big opening night in France, De Niro said Trump isn’t just a U.S. problem. He’s a global one.
De Niro says democracy is slipping away
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” he said.
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This isn’t just about America anymore
He pointed out that what’s happening in the U.S. affects everyone.
“That affects all of us here, because art is the crucible that brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That’s why art is a threat.
“That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists.”
He takes aim at Trump’s attitude toward culture
“America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions [the Kennedy Center]. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education.”
That new film tariff doesn’t sit well with him
De Niro brought up Trump’s sudden plan to hit foreign films with a 100% tariff.
“You can’t put a price on creativity,” said De Niro, “but apparently you can put a tariff on it. Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one.”
He says it’s time for action
De Niro made it clear that change has to come peacefully, but with real fire behind it.
“Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now. Without violence, but with great passion and determination.”
“It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organise,” he said, “to protest, and when there are elections, vote. Vote.”
Celebrating art is part of the fight
“Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
Cannes didn’t ignore the other headlines
This year’s festival wasn’t just about film. It kicked off with heavy news.
Gérard Depardieu, one of the festival’s longtime stars, had just been convicted of s*xual assault.
That, along with Trump’s tariffs and new rules banning nude or extra-puffy dresses on the red carpet, came up right away in the jury’s press conference.
Juliette Binoche, this year’s jury president, said of Depardieu, “not a monster.”
“He’s a man who lost his aura owing to facts that occurred and were looked at by a court,” she said. “The star of a film is a king for me. [But] what is sacred is when you create, when you act, and he is no longer sacred … Now the power lies elsewhere.”
Workers showed up to make a point
And just like last year, some of the people working behind the scenes — drivers, projectionists, and others — showed up with signs at the opening ceremony.
They’re asking for better unemployment protections, backed by the union group Sous les écrans la dèche, hoping to restart talks that would make their work lives a bit more secure.
