Friday, May 2, 2025

Cannes 2025: Queer Palm Unveils Vibrant New Poster by Marie Rouge

 

As the Cannes Film Festival approaches its 78th edition, the Queer Palm—a prestigious award celebrating LGBTQIA+ cinema—has unveiled its 2025 poster, crafted by acclaimed French artist and photographer Marie Rouge. Known for her evocative imagery that blends cinematic aesthetics with emotional depth, Rouge brings a fresh yet timeless perspective to the festival’s visual identity this year.

Marie Rouge: The Artist Behind the Vision

Marie Rouge, who has risen to prominence through her work in fashion, editorial photography, and visual storytelling, is no stranger to capturing human emotion and cinematic ambiance. Her work often explores intimacy, memory, and identity through a lens that is both contemporary and nostalgic.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be entrusted with this year’s poster,” Rouge said in a statement.

Rouge is the latest in a line of artists and filmmakers invited by the festival to interpret its most emblematic symbol. Her selection reflects Cannes' ongoing commitment to celebrating not only cinematic excellence but also visual innovation across creative disciplines.

Celebrating 15 Years of the Queer Palm

Established in 2010, the Queer Palm honors films that explore LGBTQIA+ themes, feminist perspectives, or challenge gender norms within the Cannes Official Selection and its parallel sections. As the award celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, the new poster serves as a visual testament to its enduring mission.

Marie Rouge's design not only commemorates this milestone but also encapsulates the spirit of inclusivity and artistic expression that the Queer Palm represents.

Looking Ahead to Cannes 2025

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is set to take place from May 13 to May 24, 2025. With the unveiling of the new Queer Palm poster, anticipation builds for a festival that continues to champion diverse voices and groundbreaking cinema.

For more information on the Queer Palm and its initiatives, visit queerpalm.org.

Breathing New Life into Royal Walls: The Prince’s Palace Restoration Begins

 

The iconic Prince’s Palace of Monaco, a symbol of sovereignty and centuries-old heritage, has embarked on a major renovation project aimed at modernizing the royal residence while preserving its rich historical character. The extensive works come as part of a broader initiative to ensure the palace meets the evolving needs of the Princely Family and future generations.

A Historic Landmark Renewed

Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress and transformed over centuries into a royal residence, the Prince’s Palace stands as a blend of medieval fortifications and refined Renaissance and Baroque architecture. While regular maintenance has preserved much of its structure and opulence, this latest renovation marks the most comprehensive overhaul in recent decades.

The renovation is not only structural but symbolic, reflecting a commitment by Prince Albert II to maintain Monaco’s cultural legacy while adapting to contemporary standards of living, security, and sustainability.

Scope of the Renovation

According to official sources from the Palace, the renovation covers multiple aspects:

  • Structural Reinforcements: Vital areas of the palace are being fortified to ensure seismic safety and long-term resilience, especially in light of new engineering standards.

  • Modernized Living Quarters: The residential areas for the Princely Family are being updated with modern amenities, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced comfort—without compromising the architectural integrity of the historic spaces.

  • Art Restoration: A team of experts is working meticulously to restore frescoes, tapestries, and antique furnishings, many of which date back to the reign of Prince Honoré II.

  • Sustainable Technologies: Solar energy panels, improved water systems, and eco-conscious materials are being integrated into the palace’s infrastructure to align with Prince Albert’s strong environmental values.

  • Enhanced Security Systems: Upgraded security and surveillance measures are being discreetly incorporated to ensure the safety of the Princely Family and visiting dignitaries.

    Public Access and Tourism

    While certain areas of the palace are closed to the public during renovations, authorities have ensured that key attractions such as the State Apartments and the palace square remain accessible during peak tourist seasons. Guided tours have been adapted to include insights into the ongoing renovation, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the transformation.

    A Legacy for the Future

    In a statement, Prince Albert II expressed pride in the project, noting that "preserving the palace is preserving a part of Monaco’s soul. These renovations are not only about restoration—they are about progression, sustainability, and ensuring that the Prince’s Palace remains a vibrant seat of heritage and hospitality for the generations to come."

    The renovations are expected to be completed by late 2026, with a grand reopening planned to coincide with Monaco’s National Day festivities. As the works progress, the palace continues to stand as a symbol of continuity and change—bridging the past with the future under the stewardship of Monaco’s beloved royal family.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

The 2025 Monaco E-Prix

 

May is set to kick off in thrilling fashion in the Principality of Monaco, starting with the highly anticipated 2025 Monaco E-Prix. Taking place on May 3–4, this year's event promises to electrify the streets of Monte Carlo with a historic double-header weekend — celebrating 10 years of Formula E racing in the heart of the Principality.

For the first time ever, two rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will unfold over a single weekend, delivering fans an unforgettable showcase of speed, strategy, and cutting-edge sustainability.

Why You Can’t Miss the 2025 Monaco E-Prix

1. A Historic Double-Header

In a landmark move, the 2025 Monaco E-Prix will feature two races across the weekend, giving spectators double the excitement on the iconic street circuit. This special format honors a decade of electric racing in Monaco and ensures fans have twice the chance to see their favorite drivers battle it out for glory.

2. Debut of the GEN3 EVO Cars

Get ready to witness the future of motorsport as the new GEN3 EVO cars make their debut. These revolutionary electric single-seaters boast acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in an astonishing 1.82 seconds, pushing the limits of technology, performance, and innovation.

3. Non-Stop On-Track Action

Monaco’s legendary street circuit — famous for its tight corners and dramatic elevation changes — always delivers thrilling racing. In 2024, the track saw nearly 200 overtakes, and 2025 promises even more edge-of-your-seat action as drivers go wheel-to-wheel through the historic city streets.

4. Family Fun at the Allianz Fan Village

The excitement doesn't stop on the track. The Allianz Fan Village at Quai Antoine 1er will feature live music, gaming zones, autograph sessions, and kid-friendly activities — creating an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.

5. Easy and Sustainable Access

For those arriving by car, the newly opened "Parking des Salines" offers 1,800 spaces at Monaco’s western entrance. Free shuttle buses then conveniently transport visitors to the circuit, combining ease of travel with a commitment to sustainable event practices.

Witness the Future of Racing

The 2025 Monaco E-Prix is more than just a race — it’s a celebration of innovation, competition, and the timeless allure of Monaco. Whether you're a die-hard motorsport fan or a first-time visitor, this spectacular event promises a weekend you’ll never forget in one of the world’s most glamorous settings.

Tickets are available now at: monaco-eprix.com

Christophe Honoré to Chair the Queer Palm Jury at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

 

To mark its 15th anniversary, the Queer Palm has enlisted a major figure to preside over its jury: Christophe Honoré. A familiar face at the world's most prestigious film festival, Honoré will lead the deliberations on May 23, alongside a still-undisclosed jury.

Earlier this month, Honoré received an emotional ovation at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin during the second-to-last performance of Les Idoles. This play, recently revived after a 2019 tour, tells the story of six writers, filmmakers, and artists whose lives were tragically cut short by AIDS at the end of the 1980s.

No sooner had he drawn the curtain on this chapter of his theatrical work than Honoré returned to the medium that first brought him widespread acclaim: cinema. Following in the footsteps of Lukas Dhont, who presided last year, the French filmmaker and novelist has been chosen as President of the Queer Palm Jury for 2025.

A parallel award to the Cannes official competition, the Queer Palm honors one feature and one short film from the festival's selection that contribute to advancing LGBTQ+ visibility and narratives in cinema.

A Celebrated President

"The Queer Palm is fifteen years old, and I was delighted to accept the invitation to chair its jury," Honoré said. "Fifteen is the age when you hope for everything, fear everything, and are ready to fight for everything," he added, drawing a parallel between the competition's milestone and the passionate spirit of adolescence—an enduring theme in his work, from La Belle Personne (a modern retelling of La Princesse de Clèves) to his recent coming-of-age drama Le Lycéen, which introduced Paul Kircher to French audiences.

A Cannes regular, Honoré has had three films selected for the festival’s official competition: Love Songs (2007), Sorry Angel (2018), and Marcello Mio (2024). An openly queer artist, he champions a committed, progressive cinema. "At a time when contemporary creativity is once again under attack by reactionary forces, it’s all the more urgent to highlight and celebrate queer films," he said. "Being a filmmaker, being part of a sexual minority, and affirming the truth of one's desires in one's work is an act of reckless sincerity—one that makes you vulnerable. That’s why the Queer Palm is so vital at Cannes: it is a refuge and a stage, a battle and an embrace."

The 78th Cannes Film Festival will run from May 13 to 24, 2025, with Juliette Binoche serving as President of the Main Competition Jury. Laurent Lafitte will host the ceremonies, and American actor Robert De Niro will be awarded an honorary Palme d’Or.

The 2025 Queer Palm ceremony will take place on Friday, May 23 in Cannes.