Cannes: Gracing the red carpet
The 67th Cannes Film Festival has begun on the Cote d'Azur, with a red-carpet reception for the stars. But the festival's opening film - "Grace of Monaco" - received only tepid reviews.
Grace of Monaco
Nicole Kidman starred in the film's opening film, "Grace of Monaco," directed by France's Olivier Dahan. Kidman plays Grace Kelly, who gave up a career in Hollywood to marry Monaco's Prince Rainier III. Their marriage eventually ended. Its depiction was not to the liking of the couple's children, who boycotted the premiere. Kidman's co-star, Tim Roth (pictured left), played Prince Rainier III.
The Jury
Judging the 18 nominees for the festival's best picture - the Palme d'Or - is the nine-person jury, headed by the New Zealand director Jane Campion (middle, wearing blue).
Criticizing Cannes
Campion, a director from New Zealand, won the Palme d'Or in 1993 for her film "The Piano." She remains the only woman to win the top prize at Cannes. Ahead of Wednesday's opening, she said there was "inherant sexism" in the film industry, pointing out the fact that only 7 percent of the 1,800 films submitted to the festival were directed by women. "It does feel very undemocratic," Campion said.
Last year's winner: Adele Exarchopoulos
Last year's Plame d'Or went to the erotic French coming-of-age film, "Blue Is the Warmest Color." In addition to giving the award to the film's director, Abdellatif Kechiche, the 2013 jury headed by Steven Spielberg awarded it to the film's two lead actresses, Lea Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos (pictured) - a first at Cannes.
Zhang Ziyi
Fresh of her win for best actress at the Asian Film Awards for her role in "Grandmaster," Zhang Ziyi was just one of the stars on the red carpet at Cannes for the official premiere of Kidman's "Grace of Monaco." Despite the high-profile premiere, the film was panned by critics.
Master of Ceremonies
French actor Lambert Wilson hosted the opening ceremony at Cannes. The festival continues until May 25, when the winner of the Palme d'Or will be announced.