Joaquin Phoenix Tears Up During 5-Minute Cannes Standing Ovation for MAGA Western ‘Eddington’

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At the premiere of “Eddington,” Ari Aster’s modern-day Western set during the COVID era, featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Pedro Pascal, it received a five-minute long standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday.

During the showing of the film, some members of the international audience began to leave partway through, as the movie’s pointed critique on American politics and society was not universally appreciated. Towards the end of the movie, at least 20 people gradually exited the Palais, with many in the upper tier choosing to leave before the credits rolled.

After the premiere, Aster was usually modest and said, “I’m at a loss for words. I’m not sure what you think of it. I suppose I’m sorry… or thank you… maybe both?” He then added, “I feel incredibly honored to be here. This is a lifelong dream realized. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

Or more casually:

After the premiere, Aster was humble and said, “I don’t know what to say, I’m not sure what you all think… I guess I’m both sorry and thankful? Thanks a bunch for having me here!” He went on to say, “This is a dream come true for me. I can’t express enough gratitude for the chance.

The A24 movie, as outlined in its summary, takes place in May 2020 and revolves around a conflict between a local sheriff (Phoenix) and mayor (Pascal). This confrontation ignites tension within Eddington, New Mexico, causing neighbors to turn against one another. The ensemble cast includes Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, and Clifton Collins Jr. alongside them.

Following “Beau Is Afraid” in 2023, which featured Phoenix as a fearful character embarking on an eccentric journey to his mother’s funeral while encountering his deepest fears, comes Aster’s new project, titled “Eddington.” Although it received mostly favorable critiques from critics, “Beau Is Afraid” was a financial disappointment, earning just $11 million. Following its Cannes premiere, the public can expect to see “Eddington” in theaters on July 18th.

At long last, I find myself gracing the hallowed grounds of Cannes, a first for me – a humbling experience indeed. My cinematic journey began with the chilling success of “Hereditary” at Sundance in 2018, followed by the critically acclaimed “Midsommar” and the enigmatic “Beau Is Afraid,” which both made their grand entrances directly into theaters, bypassing the festival circuit.

Yet, as I prepare to unveil my latest opus, “Eddington,” I am reminded that some of my collaborators are no strangers to Cannes’ illustrious red carpet. Case in point: Joaquin Phoenix, who claimed the best actor award here in 2017 for Lynne Ramsay’s masterpiece, “You Were Never Really Here.” And let us not forget Tessa Thompson, who graced these very steps last year with Yorgos Lanthimos’ thought-provoking film, “Kinds of Kindness.”

As the curtain lifts on “Eddington,” I can only hope that our collective journey resonates with audiences as deeply as the experiences of my esteemed peers have.

Cannes Film Festival runs May 13 to 24.

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2025-05-16 22:46