The 2024 Cannes Film Festival has been a significant event, melding a wide array of cinematic pieces that generated considerable discussion. Held in Cannes, France, the festival notably honored George Lucas with an honorary Palme d’Or, making him the 11th American to receive this award.

Among the standout films, Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” and Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore, drew attention. Moore’s performance as an aging actress pursuing a rejuvenation treatment was described as bold, despite the film’s mixed reception. “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker and starring Mikey Madison, was another highlight, depicting the life of a Brooklyn sex worker.

The jury, led by Greta Gerwig and featuring Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan and Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, had a diverse array of films to evaluate, including Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Kinds of Kindness” and David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds.”

Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice,” focusing on Donald Trump’s early years, and Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov – The Ballad,” stood out for their political themes. Meanwhile, Chinese filmmakers like Lou Ye (“An Unfinished Film”) and Jia Zhang-Ke (“Caught by the Tides”) offered compelling narratives addressing COVID-19 and societal issues.

This year’s lineup also included Jacques Audiard’s musical “Emilia Pérez” and Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds,” adding to the festival’s diversity. Predictions for awards included “Emilia Pérez” for the Palme d’Or, “Anora” for the Grand Prix, and “The Substance” for the Jury Prize. Demi Moore was anticipated to win Best Actress for her role in “The Substance.”

The festival, while intended to be apolitical, featured numerous films addressing political themes, encapsulating a blend of artistic expression and thematic depth.