Nicole Kidman @ Nicole's Magic » the #1 fansite for nicole » Cannes Retrospective: Nicole and the Cannes Film Festival

Inspired by this article (and this one!) and the anticipation of Nicole back at the festival for the first time since 2003, I thought it would be fun to take a brief look back at Nicole and the Cannes Film Festival.

The Cannes Film Festival has been a big part of Nicole’s career, and has marked some of the most important moments in her career, from the premiere of breakthrough role To Die For in 1995, to the rapturous success of Moulin Rouge in 2001. It’s also provided several of her most iconic style moments – who can forget the vivid printed Pucci dress from 2003?

Nicole’s new movie The Paperboy will receive it’s world premiere at the festival this coming week, and we expect Nic will be in attendance too! We hope that her return will mark another positive turn in her career.

Let’s take a – mostly pictorial – look back at Nicole’s history with the most prestigious film festival in the world …

1992

Far & Away

Far & Away Photocall Photos | Far & Away Photocall HQ Photos | Far & Away Premiere Photos | Far & Away Premiere HQ Photos

Nicole’s first appearance at the Cannes Film Festival was in 1992, when she, Tom Cruise and Ron Howard premiered their new movie Far & Away. The movie screened out of competition, and didn’t receive very favourable reviews, but it’s high profile cast and director, coupled with the festival appearance would introduce Nicole to a wider audience. She was a fresh face at the events, wearing a cream blouse and trousers to the photocall, and a low cut black dress to the premiere … and her gorgeous natural curls!

1995

Nicole rocked a pink skirt suit and a sexy and revealing red dress at the festival in 1995 when promoting To Die For, and this year marked a big turn in her career. To Die For was her first meaty role in Hollywood, and Nicole wowed critics with her performance, showing a side to her we hadn’t seen before. She attended the photocall with director Gus Van Sant, and husband Tom Cruise accompanied her to the premiere. Nicole also attended the premiere of Beyond Ragoon, an action-drama movie, at the festival this year. To Die For screened out of competition.

2001

2001 – the year of Nicole Kidman – kicked off in style at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Moulin Rouge screened in competition at the festival, and was the very first photocall of the year. The film was a sensation at the festival, with reports noting that many audience members clapped along, and it was described as a crowd pleaser. The premiere on opening night was followed by a lavish after party, with can-can dancers kicking it off, and Fatboy Slim DJ-ing through the night.

Just as big a story as the original and flamboyant film, was the appearance of Nicole. Mere months after the break-down of her marriage, Nicole was brave enough to face the press on a large stage. “Obviously this would not be my choice, to sit in front of everyone and have questions about my personal life. But I do feel really proud of this film,” she explained at the press conference. She then thanked reporters for not asking about her personal life! Nic took along her sister Antonia for support, who walked the premiere red carpet with her. Despite her nerves about the event, Nicole certainly looked incredible, wearing an eye-catching red and white dress at the photocall, and a stunning Tom Ford gown at the screening.

Watch some clips from the photocall and press conference at the Cannes official website.

2003

Fresh off her Oscar win, Nicole returned to the festival in 2003 to premiere Dogville in competition. She was riding high in her professional life, and was arguably returning to the place that kicked all that off (see above!). Nicole was more confident in herself and her work now – evidenced by the film she was promoting! It goes without saying that the film caused some controversy – it’s by Lars Von Trier – but the controversy didn’t start and finish with the film itself – critics went into an uproar when Nicole lit up a cigarette in the middle of the press conference. She also made news when she took off her shoes and walked the red carpet barefoot – Nicole had promised Lars Von Trier she would do that, if he drove to the film festival with her (he refuses to fly). “I’m a woman of my word and I took my shoes off for him,” Nicole told!

Watch some clips from the photocall and press conference at the Cannes official website.

2012

Nicole Kidman in The Paperboy, premiering at Cannes this week

The Paperboy

Nine years after her last visit, Nic will return to Cannes this week to promote The Paperboy. It looks like a gritty, controversial film, with a performance from Nicole that will be like nothing she’s ever done before. We can’t wait to see her there, and read more about the film … Stay tuned with us this week for full coverage!