Unlike the Berlin International Film Festival Jury, headed by Wim Wenders earlier this year, which claimed that filmmakers should stay out of politics, the Cannes Competition Jury isn’t afraid to embrace politics as a key element when it comes to art.
On Tuesday, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who is the first ever Korean president in Cannes ‘history, said that “I don’t think politics and art should be divided.” He also added that it’s strange to him that people have been creating a wedge between them as if they are in conflict with each other. He added that politically charged films shouldn’t be considered as an enemy of art itself.
However, he also added that both spectrums of creation are true; he said, “Just because a film is not making a political statement, that film should not be ignored. Even if we are to make a brilliant political statement, if it is not expressed artfully enough, it would just be propaganda.”
Demi Moore handled all political questions deftly
Jury Member and “The Substance” star Demi Moore also did not hold back when asked if “speaking freely” about one’s political stance hurts the way a film is received. To which she said, “I hope not.”
She also added that “Part of art is about expression, so if we start censoring ourselves, then we shut down the core of our creativity, which is where we can discover truth and answers.”
View this post on Instagram
Screenwriter Paul Laverty shamed Hollywood
UK Screenwriter and Jury Member Paul Laverty brought up Gaza on two separate occasions at the Press Conference. Paul, who has had more than 10 films at the festival that British filmmaker Ken Loach directed, said, “Cannes has given us so much, especially in these really dark times.” He quotes Shakespeare when talking about the genocide in Gaza, claiming that
He also added, “The idea of coming to a festival where there’ll be contradiction, nuance, beauty, knocked me out.” But most importantly, during the conference’s final moments, Laverty said, “Shame on Hollywood people” for blacklisting actors who have spoken up, showing their support for the people of Gaza.
AI Filmmaking and the Future of Cinema
In addition to the political turmoil all over the world, Demi Moore also addressed the growing concern of AI filmmaking threatening to become the forefront of creation. She said that not everyone is doing enough to avoid the rise of AI.
She added that “AI is here, so to fight it is a battle that we will lose,” following it by saying that everyone needs to find ways to work with it, but also do their bit to protect themselves from what it can do.
The Cannes Film Festival is now open and will run through May 23rd, 2026.
Also, Read – 20 Most Anticipated Films of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
