The Official 2018 Cannes Film Festival Poster: An Emotional Tribute to Iconic Cinema
The official poster for the 2018 Cannes Film Festival is an evocative celebration of French cinema, honoring an iconic scene from Pierrot le Fou, directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1965. This striking visual captures a passionate kiss between Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo, immortalized by set photographer Georges Pierre. Through this poster, the Festival pays homage to the French New Wave, a revolutionary era in cinema, and two of its most prominent figures.
A Timeless and Iconic Composition
The image, taken during the filming of Pierrot le Fou, depicts Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo sharing an intimate yet audacious kiss. Seated in convertible cars, the two actors lean toward each other, creating a romantic and electrifying tension. This moment encapsulates the spirit of the film: a quest for freedom, a tragic love story, and defiance of societal norms.
The poster stands out for its modern and sunlit aesthetic. Dominated by shades of yellow and blue, it evokes the Mediterranean light of the French Riviera, an unmistakable nod to the summer ambiance of the Cannes Festival. These vivid, luminous colors inject contemporary vitality into the vintage photograph while preserving the raw poetry of the original image. The composition is clean and balanced, letting the iconic kiss take center stage.
A Collaboration Full of Emotion
For the official poster, the Cannes Film Festival enlisted Flore Maquin, a French illustrator renowned for her vibrant and modern style. A passionate cinephile, Maquin blended her love for cinema with her artistic talent to modernize this historic image. Her unique touch merges influences from pop culture and contemporary art.
Deeply moved and honored to work on this project, Flore Maquin described creating the Cannes poster as a dream come true. As an artist, contributing to an event of such magnitude, which celebrates cinema in all its forms, was a defining experience. This opportunity allowed her to pay homage to a cinematic masterpiece that has resonated across generations.
Georges Pierre: The Shadow of Great Films
The original image by Georges Pierre exemplifies the work of this legendary set photographer. Renowned for capturing numerous iconic film productions, Pierre immortalized the essence of Pierrot le Fou in this shot, showcasing the chemistry between the two actors and Godard’s bold vision. By spotlighting this photo, the poster also honors Georges Pierre and his crucial role in documenting the visual legacy of French cinema’s golden age.
A New Wave Icon at the Cannes Film Festival
The choice of this photograph for the 2018 poster was no coincidence. Pierrot le Fou is emblematic of the French New Wave, a cinematic movement that redefined narrative and aesthetic norms in the 1960s. Jean-Luc Godard, through this film, revolutionized cinematic language, while Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo embodied a generation of actors pursuing authenticity and artistic freedom.
This poster bridges the legacy of these past icons with the essence of the Cannes Film Festival, which celebrates the richness and evolution of global cinema each year. It underscores the unbreakable bond between France’s cinematic heritage and the world’s premier film event.
A Poster with a Message
By modernizing this moment from the Pierrot le Fou set, the 2018 official poster underscores that cinema is an art form that is both timeless and constantly evolving. Flore Maquin’s work successfully conveys the emotion of the original image while infusing it with a contemporary dimension, creating a bridge between the glorious past and the promising future of cinema.
This poster is more than a visual; it embodies the passion, innovation, and universality of cinema. For Flore Maquin, it was a deeply meaningful project—a heartfelt tribute to timeless icons and an opportunity to leave her mark on the history of the Cannes Film Festival.