Robert De Niro uses Cannes speech as global call to action against Trump

Applause reportedly broke out as De Niro continued, “That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists.” Trump’s policies are, of course, an especially hot button topic amongst the global film community right now, as the president threatened just last week to place a ridiculous “100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.” 

“You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently you can put a tariff on it,” the actor continued. “Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one. Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now.” Qualifying that double entendre, he added that the film community’s stand should occur “without violence, but with great passion and determination.” 

“It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organize,” he concluded, “To protest, and when there are elections, vote. Vote. Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival.”

Cannes just started today, but the festival has already seen its fair share of political action. This morning, Jury President Juliette Binoche was pressed on her refusal to sign an open letter titled “In Cannes, the horror Gaza must not be silenced,” which was signed by nearly 400 other prominent figures in the industry, including David Cronenberg, Pedro Almodóvar, Javier Bardem, Yórgos Lánthimos, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, and more. The opening ceremony also saw its second annual protest by freelance workers (including drivers, projectionists, and more) seeking to reopen negotiations that would better protect their livelihoods.