But what hit like a sledgehammer was Irish screenwriter Paul Laverty breaking the festival bubble to slam the "blacklisting" of actors for their political stances—particularly regarding the bombing of women and children in Gaza—even if he did not explicitly name the conflict in every sentence. “Shame on those who bomb women and children. Shame on those who blacklist actors like Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo for speaking up against their misdeeds.” 

The festival opened on May 12 with celebrations honouring filmmaker Peter Jackson, who received an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement.

The statement highlighted a growing rift in the industry regarding the "blacklisting" of high-profile actors who have used their platforms to criticize military actions in the region. Laverty’s decision to end the conference on this note served as a powerful reminder of the intersection between global politics and the cinematic arts.

Last year, “Ali” showed that Bangladeshi cinema could earn recognition at Cannes. The challenge now is whether the country can build an industry presence strong enough to ensure that such successes become part of a sustained trajectory rather than isolated moments of celebration.