Cannes Film Festival will not take place in May

The decision was still pending as many cultural and sporting events announced their postponement in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

The 73rd edition of the Cannes Film Festival will not take place in May as is usually the case, and a postponement is envisaged, the organization announced in a press release.

The organizers are currently in consultation with the State and the City of Cannes as well as with the Festival’s Board of Directors. « As soon as the evolution of the French and international health situation allows us to assess the real possibility, we will make our decision known, » they explain, while joining « all those who firmly ask that each , that everyone respects general confinement and show solidarity in these difficult times for the whole world ”.

The Cannes Film Festival has only been canceled twice in its history.

In the entire history of the Cannes festival, which is expected to celebrate its 73rd edition this year, only two events forced the organizers to cancel it, or at least interrupt it. In 1939 first, when World War II broke out. Then in 1968, shaken by the events of May.

Yes, but here it is, that same September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland. First postponed, the Cannes Film Festival is finally canceled when France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany. It was not until September 1946 that the first edition took place.

Thirty years later, this is an entirely different event that has shaken up the 21st edition of the Cannes festival.
But while the strike was voted in the capital, the idea of ​​canceling the Cannes Film Festival was rumored. “The factories are busy, the trains no longer work. Soon, it will be the metros and buses. If the Festival continues, it will be ridiculous, ”say filmmakers Jacques Doniol-Valcroze and Jacques Rivette from Paris to François Truffaut, already in Cannes.

On May 18, François Truffaut, Claude Berri and Jean-Luc Godard disrupted a tribute screening, soon joined by other protesters. “I’m talking to you about solidarity with students and workers and you’re talking to me about traveling and close-up! You are idiots! ”Shouts Jean-Luc Godard. On May 19 at noon, the resignation of several members of the jury and the organization of the festival decided to close, six days later than expected, without awarding any prizes.

“Today, we have taken the following decision: the Cannes Film Festival cannot be held on the scheduled dates, from May 12 to 23. Several hypotheses are being studied in order to preserve their progress, the main one of which would be a simple postponement, in Cannes, at the end of June – beginning of July 2020, « said the press release.

Festival de Cannes

✔@Festival_Cannes

Due to the health crisis and the development of the French and international situation, the Festival de Cannes will no longer be able to take place on the dates planned, from May 12 to 23. More info #Cannes2020 https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/infos-communiques/communique/articles/cannes-international-film-festival-press-release …

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