A breathy "mistress of ceremonies"—Cécile de France greeted the special guests of the 58th Cannes Film Festival last nite. The young actress called her role as emcee "an honor, and great emotion when you’re frightened - so its an immense emotion to be with you here."
De France then introduced the fabulous jury for the "Official Selection" of features this year. The mistress of ceremonies called the world of filmmaking a group of "unbelievable people meeting to tell the same story. When the shooting starts, the magic begins! - and a little girl is waiting to be awestruck". There was no doubt this story was about de France growing up herself.

"These are the magicians", announced Cecile de France: "the American writer Toni Morrison, the Chinese director John Woo, the German director Fatih Akin, the Mexican actress Salma Hayek, the French director Benoit Jacquot , the Indian actress Nandita Das , the French director Agnes Varda , the Spanish actor Javier Bardem.

Then de France introduced "someone who is able to shake the set: two time Palme d’Or winner and president of the jury Emir Kusturica!" The jury president announced. "I have become "el commandantes" , and this evening I am "Mister of Cinema!".

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai, speaking in English, and Alexander Payne, president of the "Un Certain Regard" sidebar jury speaking in French "declared the festival open"- the ceremonious start gun of 10 days of glorious cinema in the most prestigious film festival of them all- Cannes!

Moira Sullivan