Cannes Bans Nudity, De Niro Honored, Trump Targeted

The Cannes Film Festival has already seen moments of both celebration and controversy. Robert De Niro received an honorary Palme d’Or, a lifetime achievement award recognizing his significant contributions to cinema. Simultaneously, the festival has drawn attention for a newly implemented dress code prohibiting nudity on the red carpet and throughout festival grounds. The abrupt change reportedly caught one jury member off guard, forcing a last-minute wardrobe adjustment. While the festival aims to maintain a certain level of decorum, the sudden ban feels somewhat heavy-handed, especially given Cannes’ historical embrace of artistic expression and occasional provocative displays. It raises questions about where the line is drawn between artistic freedom and acceptable public presentation, and whether this represents a shift towards a more conservative atmosphere at the traditionally boundary-pushing event. The focus on dress code, while generating headlines, arguably overshadows the cinematic achievements being celebrated.