Robert De Niro, the Hollywood icon and celebrated actor, director and producer, will receive the prestigious Honorary Palme d’Or at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival’s 78th edition next month. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose transformative performances have redefined modern cinema.
On 13th May, the Palais des Festivals will roll out its famous red carpet as the industry’s elite gather to celebrate Robert De Niro, whose relationship with Cannes spans nearly five decades and includes two Palme d’Or-winning films.
“I have a very strong feeling for the Cannes Film Festival,” said De Niro in a statement following the confirmation of his upcoming award. “Especially today, when so many things in the world separate us, Cannes brings us together: storytellers, filmmakers, admirers and friends. It’s like we’re coming home.”
A legacy still in the making
Few actors have left as profound a mark on cinema as 81-year-old De Niro. From his early collaborations with Brian De Palma to his legendary partnership with Martin Scorsese, De Niro has crafted a filmography that has redefined American cinema, earning him two Academy Awards and a place among cinema’s greatest.
His breakthrough came with Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II (1974), where he stepped into the shoes of Marlon Brando to play the young Vito Corleone. The performance earned him his first Academy Award.
His unique approach to acting shone through in his iconic performance in Taxi Driver, which helped secure the film’s Palme d’Or win at Cannes in 1976. The film’s legendary mirror scene, featuring De Niro’s improvised “You talkin’ to me?” monologue, remains one of cinema’s most recognised moments nearly 50 years later.
De Niro’s commitment to his roles, though, is what truly made him a Hollywood legend. For Taxi Driver, he obtained an actual New York taxi driver’s licence. For Raging Bull (1980), which secured him a second Oscar, he learned to box professionally before gaining 30 kilos to portray boxer Jake LaMotta in his later years.
Robert De Niro’s close relationship with Cannes
The actor’s relationship with Cannes has been significant. Besides presenting Taxi Driver at the 1976 festival alongside Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1900, he returned ten years later with Roland Joffé’s The Mission, which also claimed the Palme d’Or. In 2011, he served as President of the Jury, while his most recent appearance on the Croisette came in 2023, when he reunited with Martin Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon.
Beyond his on-screen achievements, De Niro is also known for his civic and political engagement. In 2002, he established the Tribeca Film Festival following the September 11 attacks, revitalising his wounded hometown neighbourhood.
The 78th Cannes Film Festival, which runs from 13th to 24th May, will feature Juliette Binoche as Jury President. Following the opening ceremony, De Niro will meet with festival attendees during a masterclass scheduled for 14th May at the Debussy Theatre.
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Photo credit: Brigitte Lacombe, via Festival de Cannes