The film festival’s long standing tradition is a way to express appreciation for filmmakers, actors, and everyone involved in the art.
Standing ovations at the end of films premiering at Cannes are traditionally lengthy. There are films that have reached the 20-minute mark, namely Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth and Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. Meanwhile, those that get four minutes or less could even be considered a disappointment for some.
This year, several films received plenty of praise from their peers. Let’s take a closer look at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival’s outstanding lineup and the reactions to them.
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Andrea Arnold’s Bird
Starring Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, and newcomer Nykiya Adams, Bird tells the story of a troubled family living in a squat in North Kent. Amidst the chaos, 12-year-old Bailey (Adams) forges an unusual friendship with the free-spirited Bird (Rogowski).
The film premiered at Cannes on May 16, with estimates of its standing ovation ranging from seven to 11 minutes. Keoghan was seen smiling from ear to ear while taking in the cheers and applause. Director and writer Andrea Arnold addressed the crowd saying, “Thank you, this is really lovely but I really want to go and party right now,” according to Variety.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga
Kevin Costner directed, produced, and starred in Horizon: An American Saga. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, already has a second installment set to release later this year.
The Western features a star-studded cast including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, and more.
Variety reported that the film’s premiere received a seven-minute standing ovation, while People and The Hollywood Reporter both stated it lasted for 10 minutes. The reaction brought Costner to tears, as the audience chanted his name. The event was made even more special as the filmmaker had his children by his side, including his son Hayes who also stars in the film.
Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice
Chronicling Donald Trump’s rise to power in the 1980s, director Ali Abbasi said, “I think it’s time to make movies relevant. It’s time to make movies political again.” The film stars Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, and Martin Donovan.
According to Variety, the biopic earned an eight-minute standing ovation, while Deadline estimated it at 11 minutes. “In the time of turmoil, there’s this tendency to look inwards, to bury your head deep in the sand … and hope for the best, hope for the storm to get away,” Abbasi said after the applause subsided. “But you know, the storm is not going away, the storm is coming, actually. The worst times are to come.”
Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez
The Spanish-language musical features actresses Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón. The film follows overqualified lawyer Rita (Saldaña) as she’s recruited to aid an escaped Mexican cartel leader (Gascón) in completing a sex change operation.
Variety clocked the film’s standing ovation at nine minutes while Deadline stated that it lasted for more than 11 minutes. This could be because director Jacques Audiard thanked the crowd in the middle of the applause, which continued after he spoke.
Gomez wiped away tears as Saldaña and their other co-star Édgar Ramírez shared an emotional hug. This was a huge moment for Gascón as well, who received much of the applause.
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance
Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. Though the body horror film is not for the faint of heart, many applauded the visceral themes and the actresses’ performances.
The Hollywood Reporter stated that the film received a nine-minute standing ovation. Meanwhile, Deadline reported that it was closer to 13 minutes. This is a huge feat for Fargeat, as this marks her Cannes Film Festival debut.
According to Variety, Moore also mentioned how this is her first time to have a film premiere in the festival. “I’m so happy to be here. I’m a little exhausted—that was intense,” the actress said.
Banner image via Instagram @demimoore.
