The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1364

The star-studded red carpet finally kicked off.

Of course, even Cannes, the most prestigious of the three major European film festivals, doesn't compare to the Golden Globes or the Oscars. From the guest list to the broadcast teams to the onlookers, it's a notch below in grandeur.

However, what sets Cannes apart is that the closing ceremony at this festival is the real "awards ceremony." Every crew member who walks the red carpet can be certain they're receiving recognition.

In the past, some films that did not win awards still appeared on the red carpet at the closing ceremony. Their presence was a strategic move, increasing visibility and stirring discussion, which in turn helps promote the team. It's not a bad tactic, but it remains a minority occurrence.

Whenever a production crew steps out, the media center buzzes with speculation about the potential awards and what impact they might have on the Palme d'Or. Predicting the outcome isn't easy.

The three individual awards – best actor, best actress, and best screenwriter – from previous years often offer clues, but this year, things were different.

The best actress category seemed to be between two films, The Past and Adele's Life. The real question was whether Adele's Life could clinch the Palme d'Or and the best screenwriter category. Works like Destined, Like Father Like Son, and City of Absolute Beauty all had a chance. A single award could completely shift the outcome for other major awards.

When the City of Absolute Beauty crew stepped onto the red carpet, the media center erupted in surprise. Mark dramatically slapped his forehead, groaning as if he had lost everything.

When the Hurley crew appeared on the big screen, the media center went wild, with emotional protests and disbelief. They couldn't believe their eyes.

Amid the tension, Emily calmed herself, exhaled deeply, clenched her fists, and silently cheered for herself and the Drunken Town Folk Ballads crew. It wasn't the end of the world. If eight crew members were attending the closing ceremony, it likely meant they still had a chance. Drunken Town Folk Ballads hadn't won yet, but they were still in the race for the grand prize. She couldn't afford to be pessimistic. She had to trust in Steven Spielberg's aesthetic vision.

But, what if Drunken Town Folk Ballads didn't win anything at all?

The assumption had been that the Drunken Town Folk Ballads crew stayed in Cannes because they were certain to win an award. But what if it was simply because Renly and the Coen brothers had made a special trip just to watch the film?

Renly had mentioned his excitement to see City of Beauty on the big screen, and Mark had said that Renly enjoyed watching it in Berlin the previous year, even engaging in post-screening discussions with the audience.

Emily couldn't help but imagine the worst. What if Drunken Town Folk Ballads didn't win a single award and became nothing more than cannon fodder?

Then, there was a burst of applause. It wasn't the wild, thunderous applause you'd expect. It was polite, with hands clapping lightly, slowly rising in appreciation as the audience expressed their excitement.

And then—Drunken Town Folk Ballads appeared!

Emily raised her hands and clapped enthusiastically. They had made it. It was a good sign, surely. At least there was still hope for the evening.

Renly appeared completely at ease, as though he was attending a small gathering rather than an awards ceremony. Justin and Kerry, traveling with him, seemed more nervous, perhaps hoping for the Coen brothers to win the Palme d'Or again after 22 years.

The Coen brothers were Cannes favorites, having won the Palme d'Or in 1991 for Barton Fink, along with Best Director and Best Actor. They also secured Best Director in 1996 for Frozen and 2001 for The Absentee. This year, they were once again serious contenders, especially with Steven Spielberg as the jury president.

The Coens looked relaxed, enjoying the moment.

But the most memorable moment of the night came from Adele's Life.

This was a French film.

If Adele's Life won the Palme d'Or, it would be only the third time since the 2000s that a French film took home the top prize, joining Children (2005) and The Class (2008).

Cannes has long been a platform for French filmmakers, but the industry has faced a slow-growing new generation. Adele's Life would mark a significant achievement for both the film and the director, Abdel-Kechiche, who at 53 is still considered a rising star in French cinema.

Kechiche had been working in film since the 1980s but didn't make a breakthrough until the 2000s. His debut film Voltaire's Error won multiple critics' awards, and since then, his work has been highly regarded in French cinema. Adele's Life is his fifth feature and has the potential to cement his legacy.

The film's lead actress, Léa Seydoux, is another key figure. Though she had been a prominent fashion icon since 2008, it was her family background that really piqued the public's interest. Her grandfather is the chairman of EMI, a major French film company, and her great-uncle is the chairman of Gaumont. Léa is a third-generation movie family member, and her appearance on the red carpet drew intense media attention, even surpassing that of Drunken Town Folk Ballads.

At the close of the red carpet, eight crews had arrived at the Film Palace: Adele's Life, Drunken Country Ballad, The Past, Nebraska, Doomed, Hurley, City of Absolute Beauty, and Like Father Like Son.

Tonight, seven awards would be announced, including the highly anticipated Palme d'Or.

The Awards Ceremony Begins

The ceremony began with Steven Spielberg leading the jury members onto the stage. They sat together on the right side, waiting for each award to be announced. Spielberg presented each category, with two other jury members assisting in handing out the trophies.

There were no performances, no speeches, and no tributes. It was all about the awards. The ceremony lasted just 45 minutes to an hour: efficient and to the point.

First, the Best Actress Award was announced.

Though it wasn't expected, the competition among the individual awards—Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Director—was fierce, with no predetermined order for announcement.

In the end, Bérénice Bejo from The Past won Best Actress. This was a repeat of last year's success with The Artist, where Bejo's performance had been highly anticipated.

Next was the Best Screenplay Award, which went to Destined, a Chinese film. This was a surprise, as it wasn't a frontrunner. But its win might pave the way for a stronger showing by Adele's Life and Drunken Country Ballad.

Then, the Jury Prize was awarded.

The Cannes Film Festival's three main awards—Palme d'Or, Jury Prize, and Grand Prix—are considered the top honors. However, no one wants to settle for second or third, even if those prizes still represent a significant achievement.

Emily's heart raced. Would Drunken Country Ballads win? Or would they be relegated to the sidelines?

Steven Spielberg didn't keep them in suspense for long. He announced, "Like Father Like Son."