The 2026 Cannes Film Festival took a political note today, the official Jury Press Conference concluded with a roar. Screenwriter Paul Laverty delivered a blistering political indictment that galvanised the room, drawing widespread support from the gathered international press.
“I hope to see Bangladeshi films here every single year,” Marie Masdupuy, French ambassador to Bangladesh, remarked during an evening reception at her residence in Dhaka last year.
May 12, 2026
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In a departure from the usual festival formalities, the Scottish-Irish writer used the final moments of the conference to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and the professional repercussions faced by outspoken artistes.
"Shame on those who drop bombs on women and children in Gaza," Laverty declared to a room that, far from being stunned, broke into a wave of supportive gestures and nods. "And shame on those who blacklist people like Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem."
The statement highlighted a growing rift in the industry regarding the "blacklisting" of high-profile actors who have used their platforms to criticise military actions in the region. Laverty’s decision to end the conference on this note served as a powerful reminder of the intersection between global politics and the cinematic arts.
