Cannes film festival officially opened
Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi and French-American actress Lily-Rose Depp on Wednesday evening declared the Cannes film festival officially open.
Farhadi told a glittering ceremony in the southern French resort that movie-lovers had "12 days to discover films that make you think about the human condition today. Welcome to the 70th Cannes festival".
The Cannes film festival kicked off with its traditional lashings of glamour on Wednesday, despite a row over US streaming giant Netflix overshadowing the 70th birthday of the world's biggest cinema gathering.
Will Smith and Jessica Chastain -- who are both on the jury charged with awarding the coveted Palme d'Or top prize -- were among the A-listers gracing the red carpet at a glittering ceremony to launch the 12-day festival in the palm-fringed French resort.
Susan Sarandon wore a deep plunging black velvet gown with oversized sunglasses, while Julianne Moore was resplendent in red feathers. Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, who is also on the jury, wore a sweeping duck-egg blue dress with a built-in cloak.
"I wish you 12 days full of enthusiasm," Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi said as he declared the festival officially open alongside French-American actress Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Hollywood star Johnny Depp.
"Twelve days to discover films that make you think about the human condition today. Welcome to the 70th Cannes festival."