After eleven days of red carpet fanfare, rapturous applause breaks, and media controversy, the 78th Cannes Film Festival came to a close last Saturday. Beyond showcasing cinema’s cutting edge talent, the annual festivities on the Riviera produced major cultural moments. Hollywood royalty, emerging stars, and global icons strutted along the Croisette, dressed head-to-toe by leading fashion houses, watchmakers, and jewellers. Red carpet interviews and photographs dominated social media feeds for the week. Netizens worldwide were reminded of the industry’s unparalleled glamour. But behind the glitz and glamor, this year's cinematic procession reflected the current climate of political turmoil raging worldwide. On the festival’s opening day, a group of 350 filmworkers—including actor Ralph Fiennes and Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón—signed a letter condemning the killing of Fatma Hassouna in an Israeli airstrike. Murdered alongside ten of her relatives, the Palestinian photojournalist was one of the main subjects of the documentary Put Your..
