15/05/2003 - Monica Bellucci praises Cannes for “the intellectual freedom it gives artists from all over the world” and Chéreau asks his jury to “love and defend the films they will see”

The 56th Cannes Film Festival got off to a magnificent start yesterday evening. After the cast of this year’s opening film, Fanfan la Tulipe, sashayed up what is probably one of the most famous “red carpets” in the world, this year’s master of ceremonies, Italian actress Monica Bellucci, opened the proceedings saying “Cannes is the greatest Festival in the world and a place to discover and love the work of filmmakers from the four corners of the world. Bellucci also said that “in troubled times like the present” Cannes is a place “where everyone is welcome, no frontiers exist and the intellectual freedom of the artist is encouraged while the rest of the world tries to stifle artists’ voices” Presenting the members of his jury, this year’s president, French director Patrice Chéreau reminded the audience of the unforgettable magic one feels the first time one ascends the staircase that leads to the Palais at the beginning of one’s career. “The festival is part of our lives independently of whether we love or hate it.” Chéreau concluded by asking his jury to “love and defend the films” they would see over the next twelve days. The honour of declaring the festival official open was given to the two stars of Fanfan la Tulipe, Penelope Cruz and Vincent Perez. The Spanish actress pronounced the magic formula in French, her partner repeated it in Spanish and they both said “the 56th Cannes Film Festival is open” in English. Battle will commence on 15 May with the screening in competition of Ce jour là by Raoul Ruiz.

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(Translated from French)