The Cannes Film Festival has commenced with great fanfare and splendor. The first day of this prestigious international event offered cinema lovers a special moment, witnessing Hollywood legend Robert De Niro being honored with the festival's highest accolade.
Robert De Niro at Cannes 2025: The vibrant opening of the Cannes Film Festival 2025, a world-renowned cinematic celebration, marked a historic moment as Hollywood icon Robert De Niro received the Lifetime Achievement Award (Palme d'Or Honoraire) for his outstanding contributions to cinema. The award was presented by his close friend and fellow actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.
As De Niro was invited on stage, the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause. Festival organizers lauded him as the soul of cinema, while DiCaprio hailed him as "the most powerful artist and mentor of our generation."
‘Cannes unites us, the world divides us’
In an emotional acceptance speech, Robert De Niro stated that the Cannes Film Festival is not merely an event but a feeling. He emphasized that while the world grapples with increasing division, hatred, and discord, this platform unites those who believe in the power of storytelling – filmmakers, writers, audiences, and artists. He described it as coming home.
De Niro praised the diversity of the film industry and global collaboration, asserting that art knows no boundaries and should remain untouched by political divisions.
De Niro speaks out against Donald Trump
Known for his outspoken opinions, De Niro used the platform to express his political views. He sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump's policy of imposing a 100 percent tariff on films produced outside the United States. De Niro stated emphatically, "A man who doesn't read books, views films solely through a profit lens, and considers culture a burden, has led our nation – it's a disgrace." He described Trump as an "uneducated president" lacking understanding of art, literature, or music.
His statement was met with resounding applause and support from numerous filmmakers, international artists, and the international press present at the ceremony.
Emotional moment with longtime collaborator DiCaprio
The award was presented to Robert De Niro by his longtime co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. Their shared presence on stage proved to be an emotional moment for the audience. DiCaprio stated, "Robert's influence has been immense on my career. He taught me the depth of cinema." The two first collaborated in the 1993 film "This Boy's Life," and more recently shared the screen in the critically acclaimed 2023 film "Killers of the Flower Moon," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year.
The confluence of cinema and society
Robert De Niro's honor was not merely a recognition of an artist's contribution but a message – that cinema serves not only as entertainment but also as a powerful tool for social awareness. The opening of the Cannes Film Festival 2025 was not only artistically rich but demonstrated the deep connection between contemporary cinema and social and political concerns.
