DUBAI: Swedish-born Somali model Ikram Abdi Omar looked stunning in an all-white ensemble as she walked the red carpet at the opening ceremony and “La Venus Electrique” screening at the 79th Annual Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.
Wearing a Stella McCartney Fall 2025 gown, she accessorized the look with Pasquale Bruni jewels.
Meanwhile, representing Arab designers, German-American model and television host Heidi Klum took to the red carpet wearing a whimsical peach and yellow gown by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab.
US actress Maika Monroe shimmered from head to toe in an elegant silver dress from Saudi Arabia designer Mohammed Ashi and his label Ashi Studio.
And finally, Miss Universe Lebanon 2023 Maya Aboul Hosn made her Cannes debut looking resplendent in a gown from Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran.
The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened with politics, artificial intelligence and the shifting priorities of Hollywood taking center stage at the film gathering on the French Riviera.
The festival launched with a tribute to director Peter Jackson, handing the “Lord of the Rings” filmmaker an honorary Palme d’Or.
He was introduced by actor Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in Jackson’s fantasy franchise, one of many notable faces on the Cannes red carpet, including Bong Joon Ho, Joan Collins and James Franco.
“I’ve never figured out why I’m getting a Palme d’Or. I’m not a Palme d’Or sorta guy,” said the shaggy haired New Zealand filmmaker.
Jane Fonda and Gong Li officially opened the festival, with Fonda declaring: “Cinema has always been an act of resistance.”
It was a fitting observation for a film festival that has already seen politics take center stage. At the introduction of the jury that will decide the Palme d’Or, Cannes’ top honor, jury members spoke bluntly about holding a film festival during a time of geopolitical conflict.
The nine-member jury is being presided over by Park Chan-wook, the South Korean filmmaker of “Oldboy” and “No Other Choice,” who said that politics and cinema go hand in hand.
“Art and politics are not concepts that are in conflict with each other,” said Park. “One cannot disqualify a film on the pretext that it has a political message. Just as one cannot reject a film because it would not be political enough.”
