Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ Charms Cannes, Closes 2023 Festival With Five-Minute Standing Ovation

There were more than a few misty eyes in the audience at the premiere of Pixars animated adventure Elemental, which closed out this years Cannes Film Festival.

The sweet, opposites-attract love story proved charming to attendees, closing out the festival with a five-minute standing ovation. At least one grown man in the orchestra was wiping away his cascading tears as the credits began to roll. And its safe to assume he wasnt alone in his emotional response to the film, which doubles as a not-so-subtle metaphor about inclusion and peoples differences making them stronger.

My heart is about to explode, said Elemental director Peter Sohn as the ovation began to die down. This film has been about the richness of diversity. Our lives are better when there are different points of view.

Prior to the screening, Jane Fonda, Quentin Tarantino, John C. Riley, Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Orlando Bloom, as well as jury president Ruben stlund and jury members Brie Larson, Paul Dano and Julia Ducournau walked the famed red carpet one last time this festival.

The closing night film was preceded by an hour-long awards ceremony, in which the Palme DOr was awarded to Justine Triets Anatomy of a Fall and the Grand Prix was given to Jonathan Glazers The Zone of Silence.

It was a long night for those at the Palais, who arrived at the call time of 7:30 p.m and left after the credits rolled just before midnight. But as they walked out, they were greeted with a spectacular, nearly-heart stopping display of fireworks over the Croisette. Whats that saying? Good things come to those who wait.

But before all the pyrotechnics brought the 2023 festival to a close, there was plenty of sitting around in the theater. During the 20 minutes in between the ceremony and the screening of Elemental, which began closer to 10 p.m., most of the room managed to stretch their legs as they dutifully filed out for a smoke break. Several audience members left the premises after the closing ceremony, so after the movie ended, those who were still in their seats were quick to run to the center aisles to get a better view of the voice cast and filmmaker.

Its an honor to bring this film to Cannes. Thierry, its an honor, Sohn said as the festival chief Thierry Fremaux embraced him with a hug.

Elemental is set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphicelements of nature some of which blend well together and some who dont. The story revolves around the friendship between fire element Ember, a fearless and quick-witted young woman with a strong personality, and water element Wade, a sentimental, fun-loving, go-with-the-flow boy. Though their varying characteristics mean they cannot touch each other, they discover how much they actually have in common.

Sohn says Elemental draws inspiration from romantic films like Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, Moonstruck and Amlie. Its the fourth Pixar movie to screen at Cannes, following 2009s Up, 2015s Inside Out and 2020s Soul. Its scheduled to debut theatrically on June 16.

The voice cast, most of whom walked the carpet for Saturdays premiere, includes Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Catherine OHara.

Several high-profile Hollywood movies premiered at this years Cannes, including Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon and James Mangolds Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The 76th edition kicked off with Maiwenns Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, on May 16.