Editorial path

1960-1968: The growing legitimacy of cinema and a world of new horizons

Céline Keller

The Cannes Film Festival becomes a sign of the times

Although the fifties ended with the crowning of The 400 Blows, the Festival did not particularly encourage the leaders of the New Wave. Directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol and Eric Rohmer continued to be ignored by the selection committee. Nevertheless, the Festival was not completely impermeable to innovation. In 1960 Fellini's groundbreaking film La Dolce Vita really made waves. The film was awarded the Palme d'Or on the fierce insistence of the president of the jury Georges Simenon. In the same year, an important new character made his appearance on La Croisette. He was an indiscreet photographer called Paparazzo whose name was destined to be associated with a highly unscrupulous section of the profession. The Festival began to reflect the changing attitudes in the sixties. In 1961, two films sparked off real controversy: Viridiana by Luis Buñuel and Mother Joan of the Angels by Jerzy Kawalerowicz. The Warsaw clergy initiated legal proceedings against the latter film accusing it of undermining the dignity of the Church. The jury, presided by Jean Giono, awarded the Palme d'Or to the Spanish film and the Special Jury Prize to the Polish film. In 1966, The Nun by Jacques Rivette was banned by the censors. However the film was selected to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, a decision that was praised by the French Minister of Culture at the time André Malraux.

Dolce Vita night at the 1960 Festival

Dolce Vita night at the 1960 Festival

Party night for the "Dolce Vita" at the 13th festival and jury deliberations.

18 mai 1960
46s
Jacques Rivette talks about his film <i>The Nun</i>

Jacques Rivette talks about his film The Nun

Photo session with Anna Karina, then interview with Jacques Rivette, who explains the basis of his film The Nun, according to Diderot, and defends himself for making a "despicably anti-clerical" work.

09 mai 1966
05m 52s

Opening up to the rest of the world and to youth culture

The Cannes Film Festival gradually opened up to the International film world. Films from countries such as China, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Brazil began to feature amongst the award winners, and Japan was particularly in vogue with its Samurai films winning four Special Jury Prizes between 1960 and 1965. In 1962 youth was also taken into account when the Association of Film Critics created Critics' Week, a parallel event that presented filmmakers' first or second films. The public were particularly impressed by Bertrand Blier's first feature film shown at this event, Hitler, connais pas .

List of winners of the 1960 Cannes Festival

List of winners of the 1960 Cannes Festival

Maria Callas is a special guest at the festival and prize-giving ceremony of the 13th festival.

25 mai 1960
54s
The 1964 selection

The 1964 selection

Overview of the selection of the 17th Cannes Festival and triumphant evening for "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg".

15 juil 1964
01m 23s

An evolving jury

In 1964, for the first time, the president of the jury was not an academic but a director named Fritz Lang. Since the festival's very beginnings, the jury had always been led by writers such as André Maurois, Marcel Achard, Marcel Pagnol, Maurice Genevoix, Jean Giono to name but a few. Up until then the film world had been qualified as a minor art form, but it would be legitimised by respected intellectual and cultural institutions such as the Académie Française. From then on, the 7th Art became more and more liberated and the members of the jury were increasingly chosen from the film world. In 1965, the actress Olivia de Havilland was the first woman president of the jury, followed the year after by Sofia Loren.

Jean Giono and the cinema

Jean Giono and the cinema

Jean Giono, president of the jury, talks about the cinema, what it represents for him and his own experience as a director.

07 mai 1961
03m 44s
The jury of the 1965 Festival speaks

The jury of the 1965 Festival speaks

Presentation of the jury of the 18th Festival, then interview with the General Delegate on the choice of jury and the jury members André Maurois, Rex Harrisson, Alain Robbe-Grillet and Olivia de Havilland?

14 mai 1965
09m 27s
Sophia Loren, president of the jury of the 1966 Festival

Sophia Loren, president of the jury of the 1966 Festival

Sophia Loren speaks about the way in which she sees her role as president of the jury.

05 mai 1966
02m 59s

The events of 1968

By this time the Cannes Film Festival was a recognised event for fans and professionals of the film world. But in May 1968, as students were building barricades in Paris, it was once again in danger. The atmosphere in Cannes was electric, and feelings were running especially high amongst the younger generation of filmmakers. François Truffaut made the announcement, "Everything with any sort of dignity or importance in France has come to a stop. I propose that we bring Cannes to a halt to organise a debate about the future of French cinema!" The jury members pulled out one after the other, first Louis Malle, then Monica Vitti and Roman Polanski. The debates and the strike action that paralysed the Palais du Festival became increasingly bitter. On the 18th of May, at the height of the troubles, Carlos Saura and Geraldine Chaplin prevented the showing of their film Peppermint Frappé by hanging onto the stage curtains. On the 19th of May, The president of the Festival Robert Favre Le Bret decided to cancel the festival to prevent things from degenerating any further.

Cannes Festival, May 1968

Cannes Festival, May 1968

Competition fever affects the Cannes Festival in May 68. Jean-Luc Godard, Roman Polanski, François Truffaut and Louis Malle lead passionate debates, holed up in the Palais des Festivals, to answer the question: should we stop the festival?

17 mai 1968
10m 25s
Louis Malle remembers May 68 at Cannes

Louis Malle remembers May 68 at Cannes

Louis Malle remembers the Cannes Festival in May 68, where passionate discussions led to the cancellation of the event.

23 mai 1978
03m 08s

Related videos

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Interview with Michel Simon, under the plane trees

Meeting around a game of petanque with Michel Simon, who talks about his illness, his literary loves, the job of artist, boxing, friendship and a love of animals.

14 mai 1960
06m 17s
Jean-Luc Godard in Cannes on the subject of <i>Breathless</i>

Jean-Luc Godard in Cannes on the subject of Breathless

Interview with Jean-Luc Godard about his films, Breathless and The Little Soldier, on the reception of the films by the public and the critics, on his cinematic desires and on the relationship he has with the profession.

19 mai 1960
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Interview with Luis Bunuel

Interview with Luis Bunuel

Interview with the discreet and modest Luis Bunuel, who talks about cinema, exile and freedom.

14 mai 1960
04m
Cannes Festival

Cannes Festival

Report dedicated to the opening of the 13th Cannes international film festival: declaration by Bernard Cornut-Gentille, Mayor of Cannes, followed by celebrities climbing the steps for the opening evening.

05 mai 1960
07m 40s
Eventful climbing of the steps at the 1961 Cannes Festival

Eventful climbing of the steps at the 1961 Cannes Festival

A real crowd on the Palais steps for the arrival of Gina Lollobrigida.

13 mai 1961
03m 05s
Opening of the 1961 festival

Opening of the 1961 festival

Opening of the 14th Cannes international film festival: the starlets are on the beach and the stars climb the steps.

10 mai 1961
57s
Mexican night with Eddie Barclay

Mexican night with Eddie Barclay

The whole of Cannes parties until dawn at the sumptuous Mexican evening organised by the producer Eddie Barclay.

19 mai 1961
02m 20s
René Clément talks about the films

René Clément talks about the films

René Clément gives some reflections on the "Italian" film he presented at Cannes, the reasons why some films age badly and the future of the cinema-television coupling.

13 mai 1961
04m 44s
Sidney Poitier on the question of race

Sidney Poitier on the question of race

Interview with Sidney Poitier on the situation of a coloured man in the cinema and the racial question in the United States.

13 mai 1961
06m
Opening of the 1962 festival

Opening of the 1962 festival

For the 15th festival, the Minister of Information Alain Peyreffitte has come to chair the international TV news day. Romy Schneider and Sophia Loren are assailed by photographers.

16 mai 1962
55s
Mel Ferrer evokes the difficult tasks of a jury member at the Cannes Festival

Mel Ferrer evokes the difficult tasks of a jury member at the Cannes Festival

Mel Ferrer talks about the difficult role of a jury member, who must judge the films and make choices. With great courtesy, he then mentions the directors he admires.

16 mai 1962
05m 06s
List of winners of the 1961 Cannes Festival

List of winners of the 1961 Cannes Festival

Prize-giving ceremony of the 14th Cannes festival, with Jean Marais as Master of Ceremony.

24 mai 1961
38s
The new career of Romy Schneider

The new career of Romy Schneider

Romy Schneider explains why and how she changed, moving from the "Viennese pâtisserie" of the Sissi series to more ambitious roles with demanding directors.

11 mai 1962
10m 07s
Opening of the 1963 festival

Opening of the 1963 festival

Arrival of the first stars at the 16th Cannes festival, with special guest Alfred Hitchcock, accompanied by Tippi Hedren.

15 mai 1963
46s
Alfred Hitchcock delivers his concept of suspense

Alfred Hitchcock delivers his concept of suspense

Visit by Alfred Hitchcock to Cannes, with his interpreter Tippi Hedren, to present the film "The Birds" out of competition. Hitchcock plays with the photographers, has a go at pantomime and responds humorously and in French to the journalists' questions about suspense, black humor and the "type" of his heroins.

12 mai 1963
08m 55s
The cinema according to Robert Bresson

The cinema according to Robert Bresson

On the occasion of the release of his film "The Trial of Jeanne d'Arc", the film-maker Robert Bresson explains his project, the sources he used, his meeting with his principal actor, the concept of the actor and his need for working very descreetly.

30 nov 1962
05m
List of winners of the 1962 Cannes Festival

List of winners of the 1962 Cannes Festival

Award ceremony of the 15th Cannes international film festival.

30 mai 1962
44s
What Michel Audiard thinks of the Cannes Festival

What Michel Audiard thinks of the Cannes Festival

Interview with Michel Audiard, who has come to present "Greed in the Sun" in competition at Cannes, thinks that the Festival has become an "amusing fair" and mocks the jury's opinion of his film.

06 mai 1964
01m 33s
Opening of the 1964 festival

Opening of the 1964 festival

Arrival of the stars at the 17th festival and presentation of the jury presided by Fritz Lang.

06 mai 1964
58s
List of award-winners at the 1963 Cannes Festival

List of award-winners at the 1963 Cannes Festival

Prize-giving ceremony of the 16th Cannes international film festival: palmed d'Or to Luchino Visconti.

29 mai 1963
33s
Bette Davis in competition

Bette Davis in competition

The independent Bette Davis talks of her complex situation in Hollywood, her estrangement from the job and her return with a film which is close to her heart, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" by Robert Aldrich.

16 mai 1963
09m 21s
Interview with a jury member, Robert Hossein

Interview with a jury member, Robert Hossein

François Chalais tries in vain to obtain information on the films in the selection from Robert Hossein, a member of the jury.

16 mai 1963
07m 46s
List of winners of the 1965 Cannes Festival

List of winners of the 1965 Cannes Festival

Award ceremony of the 18th Cannes international film festival.

02 juin 1965
47s
1965: 18th anniversary of the Cannes festival

1965: 18th anniversary of the Cannes festival

Opening of the 18th festival, then summary using archive pictures of the highlights of the previous festivals, since the first one in 1946.

19 mai 1965
03m 02s
List of winners of the 1964 Cannes Festival

List of winners of the 1964 Cannes Festival

Brief summary of the award ceremony of the 17th Cannes international film festival.

20 mai 1964
27s
Françoise Dorléac and Nelly Benedetti on the subject of the film <i>The Soft Skin</i>

Françoise Dorléac and Nelly Benedetti on the subject of the film The Soft Skin

Françoise Dorléac strolls around Cannes and comments on the showing of The Soft Skin the previous evening, while Nelly Benedetti talks about her role in the film.

12 mai 1964
02m 09s
The projects of Jacques Demy

The projects of Jacques Demy

The new projects of Jacques Demy, after the success of "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", presented in competition at the 17th Cannes Festival.

12 mai 1964
01m 37s
Portrait of Claude Lelouch, aged 28

Portrait of Claude Lelouch, aged 28

Report on Claude Lelouch, aged 28, who has come to present his film "A Man and a Woman". The camera follows him throughout his participation at the Cannes Festival.

20 mai 1966
11m 27s
Géraldine Chaplin, first steps in Cannes

Géraldine Chaplin, first steps in Cannes

Géraldine Chaplin, at the Cannes Festival for the first time, imitates her father's attitudes on the pier and talks about her famous name and her role in "Doctor Zhivago".

16 mai 1966
02m 24s
Opening of the 1966 festival

Opening of the 1966 festival

Opening of the 19th "20th anniversary" festival with special guest Princess Margaret of England.

11 mai 1966
01m 10s
Blow up, Cannes 1967

Blow up, Cannes 1967

Press conference with Michelangelo Antonioni about "Blow Up", his film shot in London, then Monica Vitti talks about being an actress.

09 mai 1967
02m 20s
Starlets, behind the scenes of their exploits

Starlets, behind the scenes of their exploits

Quirky and scathing report on the starlets, the pretty young girls who have come to Cannes in the hope of being noticed by a producer or director. One of them has come with her mother, another approaches every cinema person she meets, etc.

17 juin 1965
12m 52s
Claude Lelouch, member of the jury at the 1967 Festival

Claude Lelouch, member of the jury at the 1967 Festival

Interview with Claude Lelouch about his role as jury member at the 20th Cannes Festival. He talks about Shirley MacLaine and also mentions the film he is currently directing.

05 mai 1967
02m 11s
The Brigitte Bardot revolution

The Brigitte Bardot revolution

Brigitte Bardot and Gunther Sachs, surrounded by police, try to clear a path in the crowd of journalists, so they can enter the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

12 mai 1967
04m 06s
Opening of the 1967 festival

Opening of the 1967 festival

Opening gala of the 20th Cannes International Film Festival.

02 mai 1967
45s
The 1968 Festival won by a challenge [mute]

The 1968 Festival won by a challenge [mute]

Silent documentary showing a sit-in in front of the Palais des Festivals in May 68, streamers and lively discussions in a film theatre with François Truffaut, Claude Lelouch and Louis Malle.

19 mai 1968
52s
Cannes without stars

Cannes without stars

Quirky report on the people of Cannes; what they think of the Festival, whether they know the great directors, their taste in films, the impact of the Festival on business, etc. Then images of Yves Montand and Gina Lollobrigida, Géraldine Chaplin, etc. climbing the steps

28 avr 1967
12m 15s
List of winners of the 1966 festival

List of winners of the 1966 festival

Extract of the award ceremony of the 19th Festival, with winners who provoked lively reactions in the room.

21 mai 1966
02m 23s
Last preparations before the opening of the 1968 Festival

Last preparations before the opening of the 1968 Festival

Report in the office of the General Delegate Robert Favre le Bret, a few days before the opening of the 21st Festival.

10 mai 1968
11m 52s
Serge Bondartchouk about his vote at the Cannes festival

Serge Bondartchouk about his vote at the Cannes festival

Interview with the director Serge Bondartchouk, member of the jury, who defended a different film from his colleagues, "Mouchette" by Robert Bresson, and who explains his reasons.

29 juin 1967
01m 21s
Atmosphere at the 1962 Cannes Festival

Atmosphere at the 1962 Cannes Festival

Atmosphere at the 15th Cannes festival: the usual and contradictory comments on the selection, the always elegant gala dinners, troubled only by the mini-scandal of a starlet getting undressed on the Palais steps.

19 mai 1962
02m 19s
Closure of the 1957 Festival

Closure of the 1957 Festival

Closing evening of the 10th Cannes Festival: last climbing of the steps and last gala dinner with the Festival winners.

18 mai 1957
02m 11s
List of winners of the 1956 Festival

List of winners of the 1956 Festival

Reading of the list of winners of the 9th Festival by the jury president Maurice Lehmann.

10 mai 1956
02m 50s
The films of the 1965 Festival

The films of the 1965 Festival

Overview of the selection of the 18th Festival.

22 mai 1965
02m 15s
Two figures of the Festival, Robert Favre le Bret and Aguigui Mouna

Two figures of the Festival, Robert Favre le Bret and Aguigui Mouna

Portrait of the burlesque philosopher Aguigui Mouna in the streets of Cannes, followed by an interview with Robert Favre le Bret, General Delegate, who comments on the growth of the Cannes Festival and the principles of the official selection.

06 mai 1964
02m 17s
Johnny Hallyday at the 1962 Festival

Johnny Hallyday at the 1962 Festival

Quick visit to Cannes by the pop idol, Johnny Hallyday: arriving by plane, convertible car, scooter then beach, autographs, twist and a fun evening at the Whisky à Gogo.

19 mai 1962
04m 34s
Luchino Visconti expresses himself at length about the cinema and about <i>The Leopard</i>

Luchino Visconti expresses himself at length about the cinema and about The Leopard

The concept of the cinema according to Luchino Visconti, who has come to Cannes to present his new film The Leopard a vast and lavish historical fresco.

23 mai 1963
51s
Chronicles of Cannes: Sammy Davis Jr, Orson Welles, Bourvil-De Funès, Jeanne Moreau

Chronicles of Cannes: Sammy Davis Jr, Orson Welles, Bourvil-De Funès, Jeanne Moreau

Chronicles of Cannes: Sammy Davis Junior strolls around la Croisette, Orson Welles celebrates his film "Falstaff", Bourvil and De Funès crack up laughing at the strip-tease of Terry Thomas, Jeanne Moreau climbs the steps of the Palais des Festivals.

14 mai 1966
03m 22s
20 years of the Festival

20 years of the Festival

On the 20th anniversary of the Cannes Festival, the General Delegate Robert Favre le Bret remembers the first event in 1946 at the end of the war, with the discovery of films from around the world and Italian neo-realism.

05 mai 1966
05m 58s
Sean Connery explains the success of James Bond

Sean Connery explains the success of James Bond

Sean Connery explains the reasons for the success of the "James Bond" saga, films which are colourful, lively and full of humour, which woke up a cinematic world then dominated by sad, serious films. Sean Connery then talks about his career.

27 mai 1965
09m 46s
List of winners of the 1967 Cannes Festival

List of winners of the 1967 Cannes Festival

Extract of the award ceremony of the 20th Cannes international film festival, where Michelangelo Antonioni is crowned for his film shot in England, "Blow Up".

12 mai 1967
05m 21s