Veteran actor Robert De Niro utilized his acceptance speech for an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival to express criticism of President Donald Trump’s policies and advocate for democracy.
The acclaimed actor transformed the award acceptance into a fervent political discourse during the festival’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted. That affects all of us here, because art is the crucible that brings people together, like tonight,” De Niro told the audience inside the Grand Lumiére theater, as former co-star Leonardo DiCaprio stood nearby following a heartfelt tribute. “Art embraces diversity and that’s why art is a threat, that’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists,” he added.
The 81-year-old actor specifically targeted Trump’s impact on arts funding and cultural organizations. He mentioned the President’s recent appointment as head of the Kennedy Center, stating, “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions.” De Niro criticized cuts in funding and support for the arts, humanities, and education, and condemned a newly announced 100 percent tariff on foreign-produced films, asserting, “you can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it.”
De Niro positioned these policies within a global context of threats to artistic freedom, urging collective action. “Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now,” he stated, emphasizing that action should be taken “without violence, but with great passion and determination.”
The actor concluded his speech with a call for civic engagement: “It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize, to protest, and when there are elections, vote. Vote. Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
De Niro’s politically charged address followed initial remarks by ceremony host Laurent Lafitte, who set the tone for the evening by reflecting on the responsibilities of performers. The French actor commended stars who have used their platforms for advocacy, mentioning figures like James Stewart, Josephine Baker, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he described as “an actor turned war leader.”
Lafitte also referenced the Trump administration, suggesting that certain issues and words associated with them are being “banned by the administration” of what he called “the last superpower of the world.” He highlighted that Cannes serves as a haven for “civic cinema” where “we protect real-life cinema.”
The political theme persisted with jury president Juliette Binoche, who spoke about artists’ duty to bear witness during times of suffering. The renowned French actress addressed global challenges such as war, climate disruption, and misogyny, describing them as “the demons of our barbarities.” Although Binoche had previously avoided questions about the conflict in Gaza during a press conference, she acknowledged the October 7 attacks and their aftermath during the ceremony.
The ceremony included moments beyond geopolitics. One of the evening’s most poignant instances was when Leonardo DiCaprio presented De Niro with his honorary Palme d’Or, receiving a lengthy standing ovation as he took the stage.
DiCaprio, who has co-starred with De Niro in several films, described his longtime colleague as “the archetype” and “the blueprint” for actors. “He wasn’t just another great actor, he was the actor,” DiCaprio told the audience.
The Oscar winner recounted how meeting De Niro changed his life during an audition for “This Boy’s Life” when he was 15 or 16 years old. During the tryout, DiCaprio took a risk by screaming at the top of his lungs at the established star. Later that day, when asked which young actor should get the part, De Niro reportedly responded in characteristic understated fashion: “Second kid from the last.”
“Luckily, that second kid was me. That moment changed my life forever, started my entire career in the world of cinema,” DiCaprio recalled.
In a humorous moment, DiCaprio joked that De Niro had taught generations of actors “how to talk to themselves while staring in a mirror.” He acknowledged De Niro’s well-known discomfort with public attention, saying, “If I’m lucky, I’ll get a nod from him tonight, maybe even a half smile. And I’ll take that as a standing ovation.”
The evening, dedicated to Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne who passed away from cancer at age 43, also featured a surprise appearance by director Quentin Tarantino. The filmmaker delivered the opening proclamation with customary enthusiasm, even dropping the microphone on the floor after finishing.
Beyond the speeches and tributes, the ceremony included the world premiere of Amélie Bonnin’s “Leave One Day” (known in France as “Partir Un Jour”), a romantic dramedy starring Juliette Armanet as a Parisian chef reconnecting with her small-town roots and childhood sweetheart during an unexpected trip home.
As is tradition for this prominent French cultural event, the opening ceremony and film were screened simultaneously in 382 movie theaters throughout France, allowing thousands to participate in the cinema celebration that will continue over the festival’s 11-day run.
