At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony, legendary actor Robert De Niro, 81, turned his Lifetime Achievement Award speech into a powerful political statement. Sharing the Grand Theatre Lumière stage with stars like Halle Berry, Juliette Binoche, and Quentin Tarantino, De Niro condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump and his proposed 100% tariff on foreign films.
Defending Democracy and the Arts
“In my country, we’re fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,” said De Niro. “Art is inclusive, seeks truth, and embraces diversity—that’s why it’s a threat to autocrats and fascists.” The Taxi Driver and Killers of the Flower Moon actor criticized Trump for slashing support for the arts and called on the global community to protest: “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can put a tariff on it.”
Una standing ovation che sembrava non finire mai per #RobertDeNiro, che al Festival di Cannes ha ricevuto la Palma d’Oro Onoraria da #LeonardoDiCaprio
Un riconoscimento per uno dei più grandi attori di sempre, che ha incantato il pubblico con interpretazioni entrate nella… pic.twitter.com/Yb7QfRBbpY
— We Love Cinema (@WeCinema) May 13, 2025
A Call to Action
De Niro urged citizens worldwide to take peaceful but passionate action: “This isn’t just an American problem—it’s global. We can’t just sit back and watch. Organize, protest, and most importantly, vote.”
‘Philistine President’
Robert De Niro shared a strong message against President Donald Trump’s tariff policies on art and cinema.
He received the honorary Palme d’Or at #CannesFilmFestival2025. This is incredible.#Cannes2025#DonaldTrump#RobertDeNiro
pic.twitter.com/nWdscry2RV— Sonia Beloch (@sonia_0707_) May 14, 2025
Festival Highlights and Tensions
While Cannes typically steers clear of politics, global issues are unavoidable this year with films from Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran. Jury head Juliette Binoche paid tribute to Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, killed in Gaza and featured in a documentary screening at the festival.
#RobertdeNiro
Robert de Niro
An honorary Palme d’Or for his lifetime achievement#CannesFilmFestival#Cannes2025#movie#movielovers
Credit to author pic.twitter.com/YEWTxkwOwW— Liliiana Karoleva (@KAROLEVA4) May 13, 2025
Glamour and Red Carpet Changes
Quentin Tarantino officially opened the festival, which runs through May 24. Celebrities including Eva Longoria, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Palme d’Or winner Sean Baker walked the red carpet. However, changes to the dress code led to drama—Heidi Klum was nearly turned away for her trailing gown, and Halle Berry switched her outfit last minute to comply with new rules banning nudity and excessive trains.
