Angelina Jolie Shines as Chopard Godmother at Cannes Film Festival
This year at the renowned Cannes Film Festival, Angelina Jolie graces the event not as a film participant, but in her official capacity as the Chopard Godmother. This role is significant, reflecting the influential partnership between the festival and its esteemed sponsor, Chopard.
Honoring Talent at Trophée Chopard Dinner
On Friday evening, Jolie presided over the glamorous Trophée Chopard dinner held at the picturesque Carlton Beach. During this prominent ceremony, she presented awards to the emerging talents of the film industry, recognized as the next generation of stars. This year’s distinguished recipients were French actress Marie Colomb, and up-and-coming British actor Finn Bennett, who has recently showcased his talents in Alex Garland’s Warfare and alongside Jodie Foster in True Detective: Night Country.
The event was an illustrious gathering attended by notable figures, including Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch, General Delegate Thierry Frémaux, and Chopard’s co-president Caroline Scheufele, among others. Jolie found herself in the company of Hollywood luminaries such as Quentin Tarantino, Carla Bruni, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, and jury president Juliette Binoche.
Celebrating International Cinema and Humanitarian Issues
During her opening remarks, Jolie emphasized her deep passion for international cinema. In her heartfelt address, she highlighted the importance of storytelling, especially stories that capture the struggles faced by women in conflict-affected regions. She stated, “I love international cinema. We are brought to other lands, into private moments, even on the battlefield, we connect and we empathize.” Jolie pays homage to filmmakers like those behind My Father Shadow, which premiered during the festival.
Reflecting on the dangers faced by many artists around the globe, she remarked, “We know that many artists around the world lack the freedom and security to tell their stories, and many have lost their lives, like Fatima Hassouna, killed in Gaza, Shaden Gardood in Sudan, and Victoria Amelina in Ukraine.” Her words called attention to the sacrifices made by creative individuals, asserting that they deserve gratitude for their impactful contributions to the artistic community.
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Acknowledging Rising Stars
In her closing remarks, Jolie celebrated the honorees, noting the remarkable attributes that earned Bennett and Colomb their accolades. She highlighted their authenticity, versatility, and empathy, acknowledging their future contributions to film and storytelling. “What brings us here is not carpets, even though they’re lovely,”she stated. “What brings us here is to connect to each other through international cinema and the opportunity to be with creative people.”
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
In a touching moment during his acceptance speech, Bennett expressed gratitude to those who supported him, including his agent and Jolie herself. “I’m incredibly honored to be presented this award by such a revered actor and filmmaker,”he emphasized, acknowledging Jolie’s humanitarian work and her significant influence in the industry.
Event Complications and Reflections
The evening was scheduled to conclude with a musical performance by Carla Bruni, the iconic actress and singer. However, due to overwhelming noise from a neighboring venue, she was unable to perform as planned. Bruni later expressed her dissatisfaction on Instagram, highlighting the unfortunate disruptions caused by “the awful racket”during such a significant event.
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
This year’s Trophée Chopard dinner not only recognized new talent but also served as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities that come with creative expression and the connections that art fosters among individuals. With Jolie at the helm, the evening exemplified the importance of melding glamour with purpose in the world of cinema.