At the opening ceremony of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night, acclaimed actor Robert De Niro took a passionate stand against former President Donald Trump, labeling him a “philistine president” and an adversary of the arts. This moment came as De Niro was honored with the honorary Palme d’Or, an accolade presented to him by his longtime collaborator, Leonardo DiCaprio, known for their work together in films such as “This Boy’s Life” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
After exchanging a heartfelt kiss on the cheek with DiCaprio, De Niro delivered an impassioned speech highlighting the current threats to democracy in the United States. “In my country, we’re fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted. And that affects all of us here because the arts are democratic,” De Niro emphasized. He explained that art is inherently inclusive and serves to unite people, asserting, “Art looks for truth, art embraces diversity and that’s why art is a threat — that’s why we are a threat — to autocrats and fascists.”
De Niro's speech took a direct aim at Trump’s recent proposal of a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States, announced just a week before the festival. “Let that sink in for a minute,” he remarked. “You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it.” He condemned these actions, stating, “Of course, this is unacceptable. All these attacks are unacceptable, and this isn’t just an American problem. It’s a global one.” De Niro urged the audience to take action: “It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest, and when there are elections, of course to vote.” He concluded with a rallying cry to celebrate art during the festival, emphasizing its significance in the fight for democracy.
During the ceremony, DiCaprio paid tribute to De Niro's unwavering commitment to the arts and his role as a mentor. He reminisced about their initial collaboration in 1993's “This Boy’s Life,” stating, “He created the blueprint. He wasn’t just another great actor; he was the actor.” DiCaprio shared a humorous anecdote from his audition, where he dramatically screamed at De Niro in an attempt to stand out. This bold move paid off, as De Niro later recommended him for the role, changing DiCaprio's life and career trajectory.
With a career spanning over six decades and two Academy Awards to his name, De Niro is renowned for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese. His iconic films include classics such as “Mean Streets,” “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” “The Irishman,” and the recently released “Killers of the Flower Moon.” De Niro is no stranger to the Cannes Film Festival, having first attended with “Mean Streets” and serving as president of the competition jury in 2011. His latest appearance at Cannes was met with a nine-minute standing ovation for “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Expressing his affection for the Festival de Cannes, De Niro stated, “Especially now when there’s so much in the world pulling us apart, Cannes brings us together — storytellers, filmmakers, fans and friends. It’s like coming home.” Recently, he starred in Barry Levinson’s crime drama “The Alto Nights” and made his significant television debut in Netflix’s political thriller “Zero Day.” Looking ahead, De Niro is set to lead Brad Furman’s action film “Tin Soldier” alongside Jamie Foxx and Scott Eastwood, as well as James Ashcroft’s crime movie “The Whisper Man” featuring Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, and Michael Keaton.
The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival runs from May 13 to 24, showcasing the power of cinema and its role in addressing contemporary issues. De Niro’s fiery speech and the festival’s commitment to the arts underscore the importance of artistic expression in safeguarding democracy and fostering unity among diverse voices.
