Grace to open Cannes 2014

Olivier Dahan’s biopic of Grace Kelly, Grace of Monaco, has been picked to open the 67th Cannes Film Festival. Monaco’s Royal Family has questioned the historical accuracy of the film, which stars Nicole Kidman in the title role.

Earlier, eyebrows were raised in the industry when The Weinstein Company pulled the film from its March release date in the US, prompting suggestions that the producers had fallen out with the director over the final cut. Dahan was quoted in France’s Liberations magazine as saying, “What’s complicated at the moment is ensuring that you, the critics, can review my version of the film and not that of somebody else.”

But Cannes, which is seen as the most prestigious film festival, earned that reputation by staging world premieres for the films it showcases, suggesting that the real reason for the US release being put back was to ensure that it could open the festival, two months later.