In an industry where longevity is rare and reinvention even rarer, Ning Baizura stands as a force of nature—timeless, fearless, and constantly evolving. More than three decades into her career, she is no longer just the powerhouse vocalist Malaysians grew up with.
40 MAY/JUNE 2026 THRILL
40 MAY/JUNE 2026 THRILL These moments are no longer side notes. They are part of Cannes’ identity. Designers debut ideas here. Celebrities collaborate in shaping narratives that extend far beyond the films they represent. And then there are the standing ovations. They have become something of a Cannes tradition. Standing ovations, sometimes lasting several minutes, have become something of a cultural metric; measured, reported and dissected in the days that follow. There is also the structure of the festival itself: official competition, Un Certain Regard, Directors’ Fortnight. Each section serves a different purpose, offering space for emerging voices, experimental work and established auteurs alike. In other words, Cannes doesn’t just show films. It curates how they are seen. A FESTIVAL THAT REFLECTS ITS TIME Over 80 years, Cannes has evolved alongside the industry it celebrates. It has expanded its programming, embraced more international voices, and faced ongoing scrutiny over representation and accessibility. And yet, it continues to hold its position. Part of that endurance lies in its dual nature. Cannes is both traditional and adaptive. It maintains its rituals—formal screenings, prestigious awards—while responding to shifts in global cinema, from streaming platforms to new storytelling formats. BEYOND THE SCREEN Cannes today is not just about films. A film might win the Palme d’Or. A dress might go viral. A performance might launch a career. All of it exists within the same space, influencing how we see not just cinema, but style, identity and storytelling itself. And perhaps that is why Cannes continues to matter. Because it understands something essential: that stories rarely stay confined to the screen. They move. They evolve. They become part of the wider culture. Much like Cannes itself. Clockwise from top left: The Palais des Festivals comes alive on closing night; Bong Joon Ho wins for Parasite in a rare unanimous decision by the Cannes jury; Sean Baker's Palme d’Or win for Anora marked a major moment for independent cinema; Robert De Niro attends for Taxi Driver, one of the festival’s most defining films; Cate Blanchett served as Jury President at the 71st Cannes, leading conversations on gender representation in film
