The planes of the blue-white-red squad provided the show at the end of the first day of competition.

Before this spectacular sequence, the day was marked by another climb of the steps, that of the Russian Kirill Serebrennikov, breaking with the regime.

"No to war! (...) I am absolutely convinced that people of culture are capable of bringing this war to an end... This end will come and we will live in peace", declared, moved, the 52-year-old director, after the screening of his new film "Tchaikovsky's Wife".

The one who was finally able to tread the red carpet after years of house arrest brilliantly pulls out of the shadow of history the wife of the genius composer, married to hide her homosexuality.

The pilots of the "Patrouille de France" fly over the Palais des Festivals on the arrival of Tom Cruise (c) and Jennifer Connelly for the presentation of the film "Top Gun: Maverick", on May 18, 2022 in Cannes Valery HACHE AFP

A political movie?

"Every work of art has political content," he said as he climbed the steps.

strong signal

This is the second year in a row that the director is seeking a Palme d'or.

Under house arrest in Moscow, last year he presented "Petrov fever" remotely.

Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov (c) surrounded by actors and members of his team on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for the screening of his film "Tchaikovsky's Wife", May 18, 2022 in Cannes PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA AFP

In the Palais des Festivals, the armchair bearing his name had remained empty, as in 2017 during the presentation of "Leto", on Soviet rock.

By presenting this film on the first day of the competition, after a surprise intervention by Ukrainian President Zelensky, from kyiv, during the opening ceremony, the festival sends a strong signal, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

His fiancée who accompanied him was able to bring back the images shot there and put them together.

As long as the war lasts, the world cinema meeting refuses to welcome "official Russian representatives, government authorities or journalists representing the official line" Russian.

But always said he was ready to welcome dissenting voices.

On Tuesday, the president of the jury Vincent Lindon had estimated that it would be necessary "to be careful to be dignified, respectful (...) only by tribute for those who have days much more complicated than ours", in Ukraine in particular.

Vincent Lindon, president of the jury of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, during the opening night, May 17, 2022 Valery HACHE AFP

This support is in line with the political tradition of the festival which celebrates its 75th edition this year.

As in 2010, when Thierry Frémaux and the Cannes Film Festival showed their support for director Jafar Panahi, by inviting him as a member of the jury while he was imprisoned in Iran.

Helicopter

But the Festival did not forget to play the glamorous card on Wednesday, with the presence of Tom Cruise who created a stir as soon as he arrived by helicopter.

Just before the screening of "Top Gun: Maverick", 36 years after the first opus, the actor received an honorary Palme d'or.

"Surprise!"

tweeted the Festival announcing this award.

American actor Tom Cruise receives an honorary Palme d'or on May 18, 2022 at the Cannes Film Festival Valery HACHE AFP

Previously, he had hosted a masterclass during which he defended cinemas against streaming platforms.

"I make films for the big screen. My films will not be released directly on the platforms. Going to the cinema is sharing an experience, whatever our culture or our language. I will see the films in theaters when they come out . I put on my cap (not to be recognized), "said the star, given a standing ovation by an audience of 1,000 people.

"Top Gun: Maverick" will be released in French theaters on May 25, and two days later in the United States.

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© 2022 AFP