James Gray’s sixth film at the Cannes Film Festival, Paper Tiger, drew a 10-minute standing ovation tonight in its world premiere at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.
Among those leading the applause were Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and director Pawel Pawlikowski. A visibly-moved Gray stopped to acknowledge the crowd, thanking them for being the driving force behind keeping cinema alive.
“Without you, there is no cinema,” said the director, “and cinema needs you more than ever.”
The movie starring Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller follows two brothers who pursue the American Dream but get entangled in a dangerous Russian mafia scheme that terrorizes their family. Bonds are tested and betrayal boils.
Driver and Teller were in attendance. Johansson was not.
Adam Driver and Miles Teller embrace Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore after premiere screening of James Gray’s Cannes Film Festival competition film ‘Paper Tiger’ pic.twitter.com/gNJDR8JRcF
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) May 16, 2026The last time Gray was here was in 2022 with his personal Armageddon Time. He received a five-minute standing ovation and delivered a teary, heartfelt speech at the premiere.
Paper Tiger was literally announced at last year’s Cannes market. The movie was a late in-competition addition to the festival line-up. Soon after, NEON, which has a streak of winning Palme d’Ors here, took U.S. rights. Other previous Gray Cannes world premieres include 2013’s The Immigrant, 2008’s Two Lovers, 2007’s We Own the Night and 2000’s The Yards. The critically-acclaimed filmmaker has yet to take home a Cannes prize.
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