We Speak the Same Language: Cinema

"Cannes is not a festival museum; it develops and changes with the films, not getting stuck in its past … We speak the same language: cinema. We are celebrating 60 years of grace, elegance, happiness, long shots and infatuations, 60 years of Palme d'Or hopefuls, jealousy and admiration..." (Diane Kruger)

Emotion can be neither explained nor shared. 2007 year was the year of greatest emotion for The Cannes Film Festival. It celebrated its 60 anniversary!

The Opening Ceremony followed by the screening of "My Blueberry Nights" in the presence of director Wong Kar Wai, and actors Norah Jones and Jude Law. Many stars walked up the red carpet, including Aishwarya Rai, who presided over the Celebration of Indian cinema; Clotilde Courau, Camera d'Or jury member; and Juliette Binoche, in Cannes for her role in "The Flight of the Red Balloon", which was opening the section Un Certain Regard. Also spotted was Diane Kruger, who, in addition to serving as Master of Ceremonies, is in Cannes for her role in the closing film, "The Age of Darkness", by Canadian director Denys Arcand. She welcomed the Jury President Stephen Frears on stage along with jury members Maggie Cheung, Toni Collette, Maria de Medeiros, Sarah Polley, Michel Piccoli, Marco Bellocchio, Abderrahmane Sissako and Orhan Pamuk.

A further treat for those present in the Palais des Festivals, a peek at David Lynch's short entitled "Absurda", based on the theme of movie theatres, and one of many shorts making up a special collective film, as well as a multitude of film trailers presenting the films in competition this year. For the formal declaration, the Festival chose a couple representing wisdom and modernity, experience and grace. Taiwanese actress Shu Qi and Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira officially launched the 60th edition. 98-year-old de Oliveira paid homage to "this prestigious festival that is still so young. Viva the cinema!"

It is difficult to put together all conferences, showcases, master classes and other events that contributed in 60 th anniversary celebration! Cannes Festival anniversary was marked by a number of outstanding master classes, including The Actor's Masterclass By Sergio Castellitto, Martin Scorsese's Cinema Masterclass, and Howard Shore and David Cronenberg's Music Masterclass. The Festival paid tribute to Jane Fonda. The film "12 Angry Men" was screened in the presence of Jane Fonda.

During the closing Ceremony, Jane Fonda awarded the Palme d'Or of this 60th Cannes Festival to Cristian Mungiu for  "4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days".  The Grand Prize was awarded by Carole Bouquet to Naomi Kawase for "The Mourning Forest". Jury President Stephen Frears awarded a 60th Anniversary Prize to Gus Van Sant for "Paranoid Park". Fatih Akin received Award for Best Screenplay for "The Edge of Heaven". Julian Schnabel received Award for Best Director for "Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon", Konstantin Lavronenko received Award for Best Actor for "Izgnanie" ("The Banishment"), and Do-Yeon Jeon received Award for Best Actress for "Secret Sunshine". Alongside the Official Competition trophies, other prizes were awarded to the films presented during this Festival.