Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed participants in the Cannes Film Festival last night via a video link.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Zelensky made a comparison with Charlie Chaplin's film "The Great Dictator", urging world cinema not to remain silent in the face of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
"Hundreds of people are dying every day," he said.
Afterwards, American actress Julianne Moore officially opened the film festival with her first film "Coupez!" (Final Cut).
Michel Hazanavicius's film is a comedy, where the events are set in an unused factory.
Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, 60, was also honored with the Palme d'Or. Whitaker will present his film "For the sake of peace" at the French resort. These are people who work for peace in South Sudan.
The walls of shops and streets in Cannes are lined with movie posters and a large "Top Gun" installation is located in front of the Grand Hotel.
On Wednesday, Tom Cruise is expected to present "Top Gun: Maverick," the sequel to the 1986 cult film.