Cannes 2022: Tom Cruise awarded with honorary Palme d'Or

Tom Cruise, whose film op Gun: Maverick was screened at the 75th Cannes Films Festival, was awarded the honorary Palme d’Or on Wednesday.

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One of the most special moments from the 75th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday was when Tom Cruise made a whirlwind appearance on the red carpet and then later received a surprise Palme d'Or. This was followed by another special moment where he got to watch a squadron of French fighter jets fly over the European premiere of his film ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.

All stops were pulled by the Cannes Film Festival committee in order to pay a tribute to Tom Cruise. The festival’s president Pierre Lescure had a surprise announcement of honouring the 59-year-old actor with an honorary Palme d’Or. So far, only 15 honorary Palmes have been given, with this being the 16th.

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The announcement was made just before the screening of Top Gun: Maverick was to begin. Tom Cruise grabbed Cannes' top prize and also received a standing ovation from the audience.

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When Tom Cruise arrived at the Palais des Festivals, there were shouts of “Tom” for the actor as his fans tried to get a glimpse of him. Cruise had not been to the festival in three decades.

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In an on-stage interview at the Cannes’ Debussy Theatre, Tom Cruise said, "I make movies for the big screen” It was followed by thunderous applause from the audience.

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Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the European premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, brought out what's likely to be among the most star-studded red carpets of the Cannes Film Festival.

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Among those who attended the premiere were Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Viola Davis, Omar Sy, Dakota Fanning and Eva Longoria. The stars of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Jennifer Connelly and Jon Hamm were also present.

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While Tom Cruise had made a mind-blowing entry at Top Gun: Maverick’s San Diego premiere by flying a chopper, his entry at Cannes was more traditional wherein he arrived with the film's cast and filmmakers in a cavalcade of cars.