Heartening as it gets, the Cultural Development Fund of Saudi Arabia has introduced an unprecedented fund worth $100 million for the purpose of nurturing the advancement of the domestic film and media industry at the ongoing Cannes film festival.

The festival’s opening will feature “Jeanne du Barry,” a film directed by French actor-director Maïwenn, who also appears in the movie. The film casts Johnny Depp in the role of Louis XV, and it has been selected as the inaugural screening for the festival.

The Red Sea International Film Festival of Saudi Arabia has offered post-production assistance to the drama directed by French filmmaker Maïwenn. Maïwenn takes on the role of Madame du Barry, the 18th-century courtesan, while Johnny Depp portrays King Louis XV in the film titled “Jeanne du Barry.” The festival had previously expressed its commitment to endorsing unique filmmaking and promoting visionary female talents in front of and behind the camera on a global scale, and supporting “Jeanne du Barry” aligns with this ongoing mission.

Movies of the Kingdom ruling

The storytelling and direction of the Arab cinema was displayed at one of the world’s biggest events. Cannes films festival this year witnessed the presence of five officially selected Saudi films backed by the Kingdom’s Red Sea Film Fund. They are:

‘Four daughters’
Starring: Hend Sabri, Nour Karoui, Ichraq Matar Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

‘Banel & Adama’   
Starring: Hady Mane, Mamadou Diallo, Binta Racine Sy, Moussa Sow Director: Ramata-Toulaye Sy

‘Goodbye Julia’                                                                                                                    
Director: Mohamed Kordofani Starring: Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak, Nazar Goma, Ger Duany

‘Les Meutes’                                                                                                                    
Starring: Ayoub Elaid, Abdelatif El-Mansouri Director: Kamal Lazraq

‘The Mother of All Lies’                                                                                                
Starring: Asmae El-Moudir Director: Asmae El-Moudir

The red carpet glam

Arab models and designers truly stole the show at the red carpet. Amira Al-Zuhair, a prominent Saudi model, showcased a custom made pink gown designed by the renowned Lebanese fashion designer, Rami Kadi. Dubai-based model and reality show star, Farhana Bodi, made a striking appearance at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. She wore a captivating neon gown that turned heads. Bodi has been a regular attendee at Cannes since 2017, except for the year 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s never a dull day with cinema and Cannes. We did it with grace.