Cannes Anatomy of a Standing Ovation For The French Dispatch

The long-awaited premiere of Wes Anderson’s movie, “The French Dispatch,” took place on Monday at the Cannes Film Festival and received one of the festival’s largest standing ovations to date.

Cannes, the shimmering jewel of the French Riviera, is more than just a city. It is the very heartbeat of the cinematic world for two weeks every year during the Cannes Film Festival. Among its most iconic traditions is the standing ovation — a testament to a film’s impact.

Let’s delve deep into the anatomy of this applause and discover the magic behind the longest-standing ovations at Cannes.

Anderson and His Cast Members

According to Variety, the applause for Anderson and his cast members present, which included Timothee Chalamet, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Stephen Park, and Benicio Del Toro, lasted for nine minutes.

However, one actor was unable to travel. Due to her quarantining in Paris after testing positive for COVID-19, Lea Seydoux missed the movie premiere.

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For a Group Photo

There were indications prior to the event that this wasn’t going to be a typical Cannes premiere. Instead of arriving in a black car, the cast and composer Alexandre Desplat did so together in a massive gold party bus that was accompanied by French motorcycle police.

In the glare of the lights, Murray removed his mask, which bore the imprint of a chin. For a group photo, Anderson halted his group at the edge of the carpet. Additionally, many of the actors appeared to be handling their own camera work.

Although it was against the festival’s no-selfie policy, none of the ushers grabbed his phone, unlike when regular attendees try to do the same. Wilson recorded the crowds at the bottom of the carpet, and Brody pulled Chalamet into a selfie at the top of the stairs.

Queens Baby

A pink gown with shimmering gold sequin-covered sleeves was worn by Swinton, who has five films playing at Cannes. On her shoulder, Chalamet placed his head. The Cannes audience gave Anderson a thunderous standing ovation as soon as he entered the theatre.

As he clapped along, Chalamet mouthed “Queens baby!” to the cameras as he and Swinton walked down the aisle holding hands. When the lights came back on, Murray hugged every member of the cast as he moved from seat to seat.

While the audience gave the movie a standing ovation, Swinton was seen pulling a hilarious practical joke on Chalamet.

Caught on Camera

The amusing incident was caught on camera, and Swinton can be seen pretended-hugging Chalamet while secretly placing a “Tilda Swinton” sign on his back.

In a special interest section of a daily newspaper from Kansas, a weekly magazine that covers international politics, culture, art, and cuisine is the subject of the Searchlight movie.

A group of foreign writers must compile their final collection of stories, and Murray plays a devoted editor to them. Anderson ties together a number of vignettes and plot threads using the feature write-ups, comic strips, and pictorials.

Movie is a Love Letter

The movie is a love letter to journalism, but Anderson ironically chose not to hold a press conference with his cast or give any interviews to journalists while he was in Cannes.

A list of editors and writers who served as inspiration for the movie is acknowledged in the end credits, including James Baldwin, Ved Mehta, Lillian Ross, Harold Ross, and William Shawn of The New Yorker.

Cannes Anatomy of a Standing Ovation For “The French Dispatch”

Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch” made waves at Cannes not just for its stellar cast and impeccable storytelling but also for the reception it received. The film’s conclusion was met with a thunderous applause that seemed endless, a testament to the movie’s profound impact on its audience.

What Makes a Standing Ovation Last 22 Minutes at Cannes?

A 22-minute standing ovation, as some films have received, is more than just applause. It’s an emotional outpouring. Several factors contribute to this extended acclaim:

1. Emotional Resonance: Films that touch the heartstrings of the audience deeply or address significant societal issues often receive prolonged ovations.
2. Artistic Excellence: Exceptional direction, acting, and storytelling are celebrated.
3. Anticipation: Highly anticipated films with notable casts or directors can generate significant buzz, leading to extended applause.

What is a Standing Ovation at Cannes?

While standing ovations are common at film festivals, at Cannes, it’s an institution. A standing ovation here is the audience’s way of showing deep appreciation and admiration for the film and its creators.

It’s spontaneous, heartfelt, and can sometimes last for an extended period, making it a unique spectacle.

What Film Has the Longest Standing Ovation at Cannes?

While many films have been met with lengthy ovations, the record is believed to be held by “La La Land,” which received a 15-minute applause. However, there are anecdotal accounts of other films receiving equally long or even longer ovations, though exact timings can sometimes be challenging to verify.

Who Got the World’s Longest Standing Ovation?

Outside of Cannes, the world’s longest-standing ovation is believed to have been given to Plácido Domingo after a performance in Vienna which lasted over 80 minutes. In the cinematic realm, Cannes surely holds the record for the most prolonged film-related ovations.

What is the Reason for Standing Ovation?

Standing ovations are spontaneous reactions that convey deep respect, admiration, and appreciation. At Cannes, a standing ovation signifies the audience’s recognition of cinematic excellence and the impact the film had on them.

What Makes Cannes Special?

Cannes is not just a film festival; it’s a celebration of cinema:

1. Heritage: With its inception in 1946, Cannes has a rich history intertwined with global cinema.
2. Diversity: It showcases films from across the globe, celebrating different cultures, stories, and cinematic techniques.
3. Aesthetic: The red carpet, the shimmering Mediterranean backdrop, and the global cinematic community’s presence give it an unmatched aura.
4. Influence: Winning a Palme d’Or at Cannes can set the trajectory for a film’s global success.

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Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Cannes 2020 to postpone the screening of “The French Dispatch,” which Searchlight acquired in September 2019. The release date was initially delayed to October 2020 and then again.

As of right now, October 22 has been set aside for the film’s American theatre debut.