CANNES – MISSION. When in 2018 Johnny Depp lost in court against the British Sun, which “revealed” his abusive behavior towards his ex-wife Amber Heardmany thought his career was over, indeed, glamorous – and the rest – roles were cut short, as were big advertising campaigns.

After five years and a serious legal justification, the American actor returned to the cinema stage with all due solemnity yesterday with a film in which he plays the title role.Jeanne du Barry» Heretic Maven to open his curtain 76th Cannes Film Festival. Artistic director Thierry Fremaux has responded to a direct accusation that the festival is an institution that protects rapists. “The festival is always at the center of such discussions precisely because it is itself a platform for dialogue. If we were a den of rapists and rapists, I think you wouldn’t be here either … ”he pointedly addressed reporters.

However, if there is a movie scene that can accept the reconciliation of a Johnny Depp-sized star, then it certainly is on the Croisette, and the star itself was deified at the entrance to the festival hall.

Since Tuesday afternoon, the streets around the Palais des Festivals, where the heart of the event beats, have been full of people, and the impatience was almost palpable.

Already at noon on Tuesday the streets around the Palais des Festivals, where the heart of the event beats, were full of people and the impatience was almost palpable. Carefree tourists taking pictures of everything, rushing industry professionals rushing to get their IDs, and hundreds of others, mostly younger ones, taking an early… booth under palm trees to get their seat as close to the red carpet as possible. Ironically, the latter, surrounded by fences and chains, was the only deserted place in the area, and the only visitors were the festival workers who made sure everything was ready for the evening.

Formality and security in general is clearly a top priority, to an almost annoying degree, with constant security checkpoints and ID cards we haven’t seen at any major festival in recent times. On the other hand, there is no more important movie date in the world than the one that takes place these days on the sunny – at least until yesterday – the Croisette. Veteran Michael Douglas was also there yesterday to receive the honorary Palme d’Or for his entire career.

One golden palm – the third in a row, and he already has two of them, – said Ruben Ostlund, chairman of the jury this year, in an interview with reporters, and not a golden statuette on the stage of the Oscars. However, the Swedish director, whose films are known for their social and political issues, did not stop there: when asked about the recent strike in France and how it could have reached the festival, he said: “This is part of the history of Cannes will be used as an arena, for which the whole world is watching. I support what they’re doing – that’s one of the great things about the festival, when people’s attention is on you, you can say whatever you want.” Somewhere inside, the organizers of the festival must have been… pale, but Östlund was quick to add that he also supports those who show their films or work at the event.