Gong Li Shouts 'Opening' to Climax, Takes Stage with Jane Fonda at Cannes

The 79th Cannes Film Festival officially opened in the early hours of the 13th (Malaysia time). Internationally acclaimed actresses Gong Li and Jane Fonda took the stage together to deliver speeches, sharing their understanding and faith in the power of cinema from the perspectives of Eastern and Western filmmakers respectively. Gong Li further announced in Chinese: "The 79th Cannes Film Festival is now open," creating a climax for the ceremony.

Gong Li appeared in a black dress, showing off her shoulders. Her starring film "Farewell My Concubine," celebrating its 33rd anniversary, will be screened at Cannes in a 4K restored version. This film remains the only Chinese-language film to have ever won the Palme d'Or, Cannes' highest honor.

During the opening ceremony, Gong Li said: "Jane comes from the West, I come from the East, and tonight we stand side by side. This is the magic of Cannes." She added: "Cinema transcends language, culture, and generations. It tells the story of human emotions we all share. Film brings us together and connects us—this is the power of film."

Peter Jackson, director of "The Lord of the Rings," was awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement. He admitted that the decision to film all three "Lord of the Rings" movies simultaneously "was truly a gamble." At the time, the media even called it "a foolish act," believing that if the first film failed, the hefty investment would all be lost. However, the situation changed completely after a 20-minute segment of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001. "That changed everybody's perception of the film."

Demi Moore Talks AI: 'To Fight Against It Is Bound to Lose'

The 79th Cannes Film Festival's jury is chaired by renowned Korean director Park Chan-wook, with members including Golden Globe Best Actress Demi Moore, Berlinale Best Actor Stellan Skarsgard, and Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. When discussing AI, Demi Moore remarked: "AI already exists, so to fight against it is, in a way, to fight a battle that is bound to lose. Therefore, in my opinion, finding ways to coexist and collaborate with it is a more valuable approach." She also believes AI cannot replace art: "Art does not come from the physical body, but from the soul, from the spirit of each and every one of us. What those who create continuously each day possess is something that no technology can ever replicate."#

Source of news: Apple Daily News