Chopard Hosts a Glittering Night in Cannes in Honor of the Trophée Chopard
Every year, the world’s most talented and beautiful people descend on the French Riviera to celebrate the best of cinema. The Cannes Film Festival is more surreal, glamorous, and expensive than any Hollywood production designer would dare dream up: paparazzi dressed in black tie, hotels protected by police barricades, and always, the sun breaking on the Mediterranean Sea. Masters like Francis Ford Coppola mingle with auteurs like Yorgos Lanthimos. Grande dames—Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Isabelle Huppert—share blinding strolls down the red carpet with lauded young actresses like Anya Taylor-Joy and Emma Stone. Hunter Schafer, Joe Alwyn, and other ingénues seem to step closer towards global stardom with every appearance. Billionaires park their yachts, like Jeff Bezos’ hulking Koru, in the gleaming harbor. Captured by long lenses, the most photographed women alive (Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni, Bella Hadid) are seen smoking off balconies or sliding out of town cars, and shimmering in tens of millions of dollars worth of jewels.
Since 1998, Chopard and Caroline Scheufele, the company’s artistic director and co-president, have played a role in transforming the festival into the grand event it currently is. For the past 26 years, the Swiss jeweler has manufactured the Palme d Or, the highest prize awarded at Cannes. Among the many spectacular fêtes, the Trophée Chopard, which began in 2001, stands out. Every year, a new actor and actress is awarded for their work. After the premiere of Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness, luminaires gathered at the Carlton Beach Club, steps from Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. Awash with watery candlelight, an enormous glass room filled with long tables, overflowing with pink peonies and roses. Waiters, who looked like matinée idols themselves, served bottles of the finest Champagne.
Each year, a household name is appointed to act as “Godmother” or “Godfather” to the laureates.
Demi Moore, whose career has spanned five decades, stepped into that role. Her radiance has only increased since her breakout appearance in St. Elmo’s Fire in 1985. Fittingly, given that Scheufele cites fairy tales as the inspiration for her latest high jewelry collection, Moore looked like a mermaid. Dark hair fell past her waist and the blue sequins of her Balenciaga gown shone like wet scales. Around Moore’s neck, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds sparkled.
“It has been 27 years since I was first at the Cannes Festival,” Moore told the crowd. “This place represents not just the top of cinematic art but a place where dreams come from frames and stories. And the location isn’t too shabby.”
Next to Moore stood two other remarkable women, Scheufele and Iris Knobloch. In 2022, Knobloch became the first female president of the festival in its 77-year history. At the beginning of her tenure, the former head of WarnerMedia in Germany and France made clear her commitment to creating a more inclusive environment within the industry. Her career, like that of Scheufele, is marked by both creative vision and executive leadership.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Chopard and Caroline,” Moore said. “There is no other place you can wake up and they bring jewels to your door every day.” In a more sober tone, she added, “I feel lucky to be chosen to be a godmother to these extraordinary young talents.”
The two young talents in question were Sophie Wilde and Mike Faist. An Australian native, Wilde dazzled audiences in the critically acclaimed horror film Talk to Me as well as in the limited television series Eden and You Don’t Know Me. Already a Tony and Emmy winner, Faist gained renown for roles in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and, most recently, in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers. On large projection screens suspended throughout the dining room, a montage of the two actors’ performances played. The clips captured their fierce versatility, skill, and charisma.
Incandescent in a pale gown, Wilde betrayed her raw emotion. “There is something surreal yet incredibly special about being recognized by a group of people who you admire and whose work has been a source of constant inspiration.”
After Moore handed him his trophy, Faist said, “It’s awful to watch yourself.” The actor, who became an object of viral admiration (and lust) thanks to his role in the sweaty blockbuster, echoed the surreality of the moment. “I feel I am standing on the shoulders of giants,” Faist said. “And I am standing on the shoulders of giants in this room.”
The banquet continued as a galaxy of stars—Greta Gerwig, Eva Longoria, Kevin Costner, Lily Gladstone, Eva Green, and countless others—dined and drank. Two Michelin-starr chef Bruno Oger, prepared a feast inspired by the cuisine of Southern France. Sea bream in Provençal sauce and Vadouvan spices, followed by courgette flower with smoked aubergine caviar. Vanilla vacherin with local red berries provided a sweet and colorful conclusion.
Despite the late hour, the revelry continued at the storied Hôtel Martinez, whose rooftop served as Chopard’s headquarters for the duration of the festival. There, silhouetted by views of the Côte d Azur, guests danced through the glittering night.
Photo: Olivier Borde1/10Carla Bruni and Pierfrancesco Favino
Photo: Olivier Borde2/10Mike Faist
