Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted Houmin al-Fawqa
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes raid the Jarmaq area
Israeli platform: One Israeli was seriously injured in a ramming operation near Kedumim, near Nablus
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri to Sayyed Nasrallah: On the day of your martyrdom, I recall your voice echoing across the lands: 'Standing against falsehood, even if it leads to martyrdom, will unveil all masks; that is a true Hussaini victory'
Larijani: Resistance was born in this arena, and Lebanon today stands as a fortified trench against the Israeli entity
Larijani: Lebanon may be small in size, but its people are great and strong
Larijani: The Israeli attack on Qatar was clear evidence of Sayyed Nasrallah’s repeated talk about Israeli aggression against countries across the region
Larijani: It has now become evident that the positions voiced by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over the past decades were accurate
Larijani: The region has witnessed many developments since my last visit
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: One of the objectives of this visit is to take part in the ceremonies honoring the martyrs who defended Lebanon

Cannes jury president pays tribute to slain Gaza journalist Hassouna

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 14 May 2025 18:21
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The Cannes Film Festival kicked off after over 350 Hollywood actors released a public letter condemning the genocide in Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • 78th Cannes Festival kicks off against backdrop of global turmoil
    Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen pose for photographers during the opening ceremony red carpet of the 78th International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 13, 2025. (AP)

From the genocide in Gaza to Donald Trump’s relentless assaults on the rule of law, the weight of global unrest cast a somber shadow over the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, May 13.

Ukraine has its own share in the festival, with three films to be shown as part of a special “Ukraine Day” program: two documentaries featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a third shot on the brutal frontlines of what is considered the largest war in Europe in 80 years. 

While no similar tribute has been organized for the war in Gaza, the documentary on Fatima Hassouna is expected to "honour her memory," according to the festival’s organizers.

Prior to the opening, more than 350 figures from the global film industry, including Hollywood actors Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon, have publicly condemned the genocide in Gaza in an open letter released Monday, just ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.

"We cannot remain silent while genocide is taking place in Gaza," the letter states. It was initiated by several pro-Palestinian activist groups and published in both the French newspaper Libération and the US entertainment magazine Variety.

On the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière, Juliette Binoche, president of this year’s festival jury, paid tribute to Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on April 16, along with ten members of her family.

Hassouna, 25, is the subject of a new documentary titled Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, directed by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi. 

Related News

Poll: 91% of French want rioters banned from future protests

Macron and Starmer to lead Paris talks on 'Coalition of the Willing'

"The day before her death, she learned that the film had been selected. Fatima should have been with us tonight," Binoche said with deep emotion.

Hassouna and ten relatives were killed in an Israeli air raid on her family home in northern Gaza last month, only one day after the documentary was revealed as part of the ACID Cannes selection.

Farsi welcomed the impact of her film but urged Cannes Festival organisers to condemn "Israel's" continuous assault on Gaza.

De Niro urges global action in defense of liberty

During the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, American actor Robert De Niro launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump, calling him a threat to global stability.

Receiving the honorary Palme d'Or, De Niro delivered an impassioned speech, warning that Trump's policies are not only a problem for the United States but for the entire world.

In a powerful speech, Robert De Niro declared that art unites people and threatens autocrats by seeking truth and embracing diversity.

Condemning Donald Trump’s actions as “unacceptable", he urged global action, not passive observation, calling on people to organize, protest, and vote in defense of liberty.

"This isn't just an American problem, it's a global one. Like a film, we can't just all sit back and watch. We have to act and we have to act now. (...) It's time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest and, when there are elections, vote. Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité," he ended.

  • Cannes Film festival
  • Cannes
  • Cannes Festival 2025
  • France
  • Paris

Most Read

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
27 wounded in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

27 wounded Israelis in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
Last photo showing Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Martyr Hajj Hassan in a Resistance operations room, Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, days before their martyrdom (Al Mayadeen)

In heart of battle: Al Mayadeen shares last photo of Sayyed Nasrallah

  • Politics
  • 27 Sep 2025
Flames and smoke rise following Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)

Israeli aggression targets Sanaa, Yemeni defenses repel air assault

  • Politics
  • 25 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Florida pushes bill to rename West Bank as ‘Judea and Samaria’
US & Canada

Florida pushes bill to rename West Bank as ‘Judea and Samaria’

US faces largest federal worker resignation in history under Trump
US & Canada

US braces for largest fed. worker resignation in history under Trump

North Carolina shooting leaves 3 dead, 6 injured
Miscellaneous

North Carolina mass shooting leaves 3 dead, 6 injured

'Racist, immoral'  Starmer on Reform's deportartion plan
Europe

'Racist, immoral': Starmer on Farage's Reform deportation plan

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS