Cannes Film Festival 2025 Live Updates: Tom Cruise brings ‘Final Reckoning’ to Cannes, but won’t bid ‘Mission: Impossible’ adieu yet

Robert De Niro told AFP Wednesday that many in Hollywood share his views on US President Donald Trump -- whom he denounced at the Cannes film festival opening -- but the industry is worried about speaking out against him.
The 81-year-old, one of the most outspoken critics of the American leader, used his Tuesday evening speech to condemn him again, calling him a "philistine".

"They have big businesses, they have to worry about the wrath of Trump, and that's where they have to make a decision: do I succumb to that or do I say no?" he told AFP.

But he cited as an inspiration the example of some US universities and legal firms who have stood up to attempts from Trump's administration to cow them.

"It's important, because other people pick that up, they see that they're fighting, it gives them strength to fight, and they're inspired by that," he added.

"They say it is possible... that's what America is about."

After accepting an honorary Palme d'Or on Tuesday evening for his contribution to cinema, the "Taxi Driver" star called for resistance against Trump's agenda.

As well as calling the president a "philistine", De Niro slammed his desire to implement 100-percent tariffs on films "produced in foreign lands".

"You can't have apathy, you can't have silence," De Niro said on Wednesday.

"People have to speak up and they have to take chances and risk being harassed. You just can't let the bully win, period."

Among the things to watch out for: any effects of Trump's talk about tariffs on foreign-made films at the world's largest film market. The festival serves as the start of Oscar season and there's a packed field vying for this year's Palme d'Or.

Outside of competition, there's some starry first-time directors: Scarlett Johansson with “Eleanor the Great,” Kristen Stewart with “The Chronology of Water” and Harris Dickinson with “Urchin.”

Their films are not in the main competition, but as Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho told Coyle about debuting a film at Cannes: “You release a film into that Colosseum-like situation.” He noted premiering a movie at the festival is akin to “a potential invitation to a beheading.”

New red carpet rules, and how stars are responding
One of the buzziest moves by Cannes this year so far has been its proclamation that nudity is banned by festivalgoers and so too are “voluminous” outfits, in particular those with a large train.

The move to ban nude looks comes amid the “naked dress” trend on red carpets, including Bianca Censori's Grammys look and many of the outfits worn by Vanity Fair party attendees after the Oscars.

Cannes press officers said earlier this week the festival “made explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect.”

So how did stars at Cannes respond?

Halle Berry, who is on the festival jury headed by Juliette Binoche, told reporters she would abide by it and had changed her opening night look.

While risque looks were in short supply Monday, there were certainly some “voluminous outfits,” including dresses worn by Heidi Klum, Chinese actor Wan QianHui and others.

This year's Cannes Film Festival has barely started, but it's already been an attention-grabbing affair, from new rules for its red carpets, nerves about potential U.S. tariffs and the return of Tom Cruise.
And that says nothing about the films, expected to be a strong slate as Cannes is seen as increasingly important to the Oscars' best picture hopefuls.

Even in a normal year, Cannes is a lot to keep up with. Here's a handy guide of what's happened so far, what to expect and what it may mean.

What's happened so far at Cannes
Cannes opened Tuesday with a starry tribute to Robert De Niro, 49 years after “Taxi Driver” won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or. De Niro used the platform to assail U.S. President Donald Trump, a frequent target of his criticism.

He also basked in the adoration of some of film's elite, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Quentin Tarantino.

Cannes debuted a complex 4K restoration of “The Gold Rush,” one of Charlie Chaplin’s most beloved silent masterpieces, timed to the film's 100th anniversary. “Our grandfather would be really proud to see this, a hundred years later, to see all you here and interested in seeing the film,” said Kiera Chaplin to a packed screening Tuesday.

Tom Cruise took the spotlight on Day 2 with the latest “Mission: Impossible” installment, “Final Reckoning.” For such a high-flying franchise, Cruise kept his feet on the ground (so far) ahead of the film's premiere.

Christopher McQuarrie's latest “Mission: Impossible” installment was the biggest Hollywood tentpole wading ashore in Cannes this year. It, and Cruise, stirred a frenzy at the French Riviera festival, which again played eager host to the American movie star.

Just his arrival outside the premiere, beamed onto the screen in the Grand Théâtre Lumière, drew a response. When Cruise stepped out his car, oohs and applause reverberated through the theater. Cruise spent several minutes signing autographs for fans lined up on the Croisette.

Some had wondered whether Cruise might make a more daring arrival. When Cruise received an honorary Palme d’Or from the festival in 2022, the “Top Gun: Maverick” premiere included an impressively timed jet flyover. Instead, on Day 2 of the festival, he and the film’s cast walked the red carpet accompanied by an orchestra performing Lalo Schifrin's “Mission: Impossible” theme on the Palais steps. “Bravo!” cheered Cruise.

Though selfies are frowned upon on the Cannes red carpet, McQuarrie took several of the group, which included Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett and Hannah Waddingham.

“Final Reckoning,” the eighth “Mission: Impossible” movie and a follow-up to 2023's “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” is again a heaping serving of outlandish stunts in a globe-trotting, world-saving plot that greatly relies on Cruise's sheer force of will to propel it.

Three years after soaring into the Cannes Film Festival with Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise returned once more, this time with the world premiere of Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning, the latest explosive entry in the long-running action franchise.

Cruise, 62, was met with a roaring five-minute standing ovation following the premiere at the Grand Theatre Lumiere on Wednesday. A video posted by Deadline captures the actor making his way down the aisle of the packed theatre as the audience applauded the latest instalment of the franchise.

Joined by director Christopher McQuarrie and co-stars Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Hannah Waddingham, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis, Cruise was seen smiling and waving as the theatre erupted with hoots and applause after the screening.

The Cannes film festival said it had barred an actor in a prominent French film from the red carpet on Thursday because of sexual assault allegations against him.

Theo Navarro-Mussy has a secondary role as a police officer in the film "Dossier 137" by Dominik Moll which is to premiere on Thursday in the festival's main competition.

According to French magazine Telerama, which broke the news, the actor was accused of rape by three former partners in 2018, 2019, and 2020, but the case was dropped last month for lack of evidence.

The three women plan to appeal and file a civil lawsuit, Telerama said.

Actor Robert De Niro expressed his deep-rooted love for traditional movie-going experiences. During his appearance at the Cannes Film Festival—just a day after being honoured with the prestigious Palme d'Or—De Niro reflected on the irreplaceable atmosphere of watching films in a cinema.
“There’s a unique feeling when you’re in a theatre surrounded by others, compared to watching something alone,” he remarked, highlighting how the communal experience adds something special to storytelling. “There’s just something about the tradition of being in a movie theatre,” he said.

According to Variety, Tom Cruise, currently at the Cannes Film Festival, chose not to reveal whether Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will mark his last outing as Ethan Hunt. Instead, he emphasized the joy and effort behind the film, urging audiences to simply experience and enjoy the culmination of the franchise.

An unforgettable moment featuring Hollywood legends Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Quentin Tarantino was captured at the Cannes Film Festival, quickly taking the internet by storm.

Alia Bhatt, who was anticipated to make her debut at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, recently revealed she would be skipping the event due to India-Pakistan tensions. However, a Reddit post suggests an alternative reason behind her change of plans. According to rumors, Alia had selected a poofy gown for the red carpet but had to cancel it due to last-minute changes in the dress code.

Responding to former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent declaration of 100% tariffs, Cannes Jury Head Juliette Binoche offered a candid remark. Speaking to the media, she said, “It’s clear he’s battling on multiple fronts — whether it’s to ‘save America’ or to save himself.”

The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival kicked off in style on May 13, 2024. At the grand opening ceremony, renowned singer Mylène Farmer took the stage with a heartfelt performance, debuting her latest track, Confession. The emotional moment was made even more special as Mylène dedicated the song to her longtime friend, acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch—honoring his influence as a director, actor, and screenwriter.

Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor made their Bollywood debuts — first Ishaan in Beyond the Clouds, followed by their on-screen pairing in Dhadak. Fast forward to 2025, the duo is all set to reunite at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, alongside co-star Vishal Jethwa. As excitement builds for their red carpet appearance, a nostalgic video of Janhvi and Ishaan ordering pizza has resurfaced, delighting fans with a glimpse of their early days.

Hande Erçel dazzled at Cannes 2025 in a striking strapless gown featuring a dramatic bow detail at the hips, exuding retro-chic elegance.

Thai-British actress and singer Becky Armstrong captivated the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, donning a sophisticated outfit that highlighted her timeless style and grace.

Urvashi Rautela, India's youngest superstar, made history at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival with a jaw-dropping $155.86 million ensemble, securing her place as the most expensive look ever seen at both the Met Gala and Cannes. Known for her global influence and massive social media following of over 100 million, Urvashi continues to inspire millions as one of Bollywood's highest-paid actresses and an international icon.

Oscar-winner Halle Berry, serving as a jury member at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, revealed she had to skip wearing a custom Gaurav Gupta outfit because its dramatic train violated the festival's updated dress code. Berry shared the news during the official jury press conference, expressing disappointment over the last-minute change.

Bella Hadid turned heads at Cannes 2025 in a daring, backless Saint Laurent gown paired with striking emerald jewellery. Her fashion-forward look subtly challenged the festival’s traditional dress code, marking a moment of quiet rebellion on the red carpet.

The teaser for Sajin Baabu’s upcoming film Theatre: The Myth of Reality has been released, offering a gripping preview of its atmospheric storytelling and technical brilliance. The full trailer will be launched at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival – Marché du Film.

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 will see an incredible and diverse jury select the winners of the coveted Palme d'Or and other prestigious awards. This year's panel includes renowned global talent from various fields of the arts. Halle Berry, the celebrated US actor and filmmaker, brings her vast experience to the jury, while French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani adds a literary touch. The panel also includes Dieudo Hamadi, a director and producer from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Korean director Hong Sang-soo, known for his unique filmmaking style.

Indian director Payal Kapadia, Italian actor Alba Rohrwacher, and Mexican director Carlos Reygadas round out the jury, bringing global perspectives to the table. Finally, US actor Jeremy Strong, famed for his role in ‘Succession’, adds to the eclectic mix. This diverse jury promises exciting discussions as they decide the best films of Cannes 2025.

Several Indian films are set to make a significant impact on the global stage, showcasing the richness of Indian cinema.

‘Homebound’: Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, ‘Homebound’ stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, and is part of the Un Certain Regard section. The film promises a powerful, emotional narrative, with support from the legendary Martin Scorsese.

‘Aranyer Din Ratri’: Satyajit Ray’s 1970 masterpiece ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’ returns to Cannes in a restored version, with Sharmila Tagore attending the premiere, alongside other prominent figures, to celebrate Ray’s timeless storytelling.

‘A Doll Made Up Of Clay’: Kokob Gebrehweria Tesfay’s short film, ‘A Doll Made Up Of Clay’, selected for the La Cinef section, is a heartfelt tale set in India, showcasing fresh perspectives from a student filmmaker at Kolkata’s SRFTI.

‘Tanvi The Great’: ‘Tanvi The Great’ marks Anupam Kher’s debut as a director, premiering at the Cannes Film Market, promising an emotional and inspiring journey with high expectations.

Actor Urvashi Rautela, who is now a regular at the Cannes Film Festival, made a striking appearance on the red carpet on Tuesday. She attended the opening ceremony and the screening of the French film 'Partir un jour' ('Leave One Day'). Dressed in a bold and colourful strapless outfit in shades of red, blue and yellow, Urvashi added an extra dose of drama with a shiny tiara and a parrot-shaped clutch.

While her outfit was eye-catching, it was the unusual parrot clutch that really got everyone talking. Covered in crystals and shaped like a bird, the clutch became the centre of attention. In one photo, Urvashi is even seen holding it up and giving it a kiss. According to Instagram page Diet Sabya, the clutch is designed by Judith Leiber and costs $5,495 (Rs 4,68,064.10).

As pictures and videos of Urvashi’s red carpet look started to spread online, social media users had a mix of reactions. One person commented, “So beautiful so elegant just looking like design machine studio.” Another said, “I’m such a fan.” But the internet also had some fun with her look. One user joked, “Giving ‘Moulin Rouge meets Mayur Vihar’ realness.” Someone else brought up her recent film and asked, “Was Daku Maharaj shown at the festival?” One user simply wrote, “Slay,” while another wondered, “is it a satire on camp?”

Hollywood legend Robert De Niro didn’t hold back at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. The 81-year-old actor took to the stage at the glamorous Grand Théâtre Lumière to accept a lifetime achievement award — and used the moment to take a strong swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump.

De Niro stood beside fellow Oscar winners Halle Berry, Juliette Binoche and Quentin Tarantino, as his longtime friend and co-star Leonardo DiCaprio handed him the award. While many expected a simple thank-you speech, De Niro turned his spotlight into a powerful protest. Known for films like 'Taxi Driver', 'Raging Bull', and more recently 'Killers of the Flower Moon', the actor criticised Trump’s actions against the arts.

“Trump has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education. And now he has announced the 100% tariff on films produced outside the US,” De Niro said as quoted by Reuters, addressing the crowd.

De Niro’s most powerful moment came when he added, “You can't put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can put a tariff on it,” drawing a mix of shock and applause from the audience. He didn’t stop there. Urging people to take action, he said, “Everyone who cares about liberty” should protest against Trump’s decisions.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino made a grand appearance at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday night to officially open the 78th edition of the world-famous event. Taking the stage at the Grand Lumière Theatre, he proudly declared, “It’s my honour to declare the 78th festival open!” – sending the crowd into cheers as the 12-day celebration of cinema began.

Tarantino arrived with his wife, Daniella Tarantino, making quite the entrance on the red carpet. In a rare move, festival officials temporarily stopped other guests from walking so the couple could pose alone for photographers. The two looked completely in sync, whispering sweetly to each other, sharing laughs and posing lovingly for the cameras. It was a moment that oozed old-school Hollywood charm.

The ‘Kill Bill’ director is not just at Cannes for glamour. He’s the guest of honour this year and will take part in discussions about classic Western filmmaker George Sherman. Sherman's works, including ‘Comanche Territory’ and ‘Red Canyon’, are being shown in the Cannes Classics section. Tarantino, who won the Palme d'Or in 1995 for ‘Pulp Fiction’, is no stranger to the festival. He also served as jury president in 2004, cementing his long-standing connection with Cannes.