The 59th Cannes Films Festival will open on Wednesday. Movie stars from all over the world will get together for the 12-day event. The highly anticipated movie Da Vinci Code is to be shown during the opening ceremony.

 

This movie will surely bring a surge of reviews and press reports. The festival will last until May 28th, one day more than last year's. 　　

 

Stars expected to be at Cannes include Monica Bellucci, Helena Bonham Carter, Penelope Cruz, Kirsten Dunst, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Sarah Michelle Gellar. And this is just a small part of the stars list.

 

　　

 

Although there was a small police workers strike last Friday in Cannes, the government claims all necessary security steps have been taken to ensure the safety of audience members and stars. 　　

 

China also has five movies showing at Cannes, including Lou Ye's Summer Palace, the only film entered into the competition session.

 

(CRI May 16, 2006)