EXCLUSIVE: Greta Gerwig Talks Cannes Red Carpet: ‘This Was the Happiest I’ve Been Just Being Myself’
After two weeks with the world’s cameras turned on Cannes, the red carpet has been rolled up, the Palme d’Or awarded (it went to Sean Baker’s “Anora”) and the dresses have been shipped back to their designers. As Greta Gerwig finished up a fortnight of screenings, deliberations, parties and perfecting the art of getting dressed, the Cannes jury president reflected on her time at the most famous film festival in the world.
WWD: How did you strategize for the two weeks? How did you approach your looks — did you try to coordinate to specific films or events, or was it more about the feeling on any given day?
More from WWD
Greta Gerwig: Being asked to be the president of Cannes jury was an incredible honor and complete surprise — it was a dream that I didn’t even know I could have. I found out about it in December, so [stylist] Karla Welch and I started speaking about it very early. I trust Karla completely — working with her very much feels like working with a great cinematographer or brilliant costume designer. She’s a collaborator and a wizard.
We wanted to highlight the amazing designers who have supported me throughout my whole career, and we also wanted to make a narrative that was about the grandeur of the Cannes Film Festival. I love cinema so much, and having that love be the center made the process so much fun and so creative. About two weeks before going we had a big fitting and started thinking about which dresses go for which films and events, but it kept evolving throughout the time there. We had a flexible plan, but then went with the feeling of the day. There were so many beautiful pieces that every day was like getting to open a birthday present.
WWD: Why did you select the Celine dress for the closing ceremony look?
G.G.: As Cannes Film Festival is the epitome of world cinema in a French context, it felt only right to have a French house to close out my adventure there. “Chic” is the word, and it is entirely correct to describe the dress. The midnight navy, the strength of the shape — I felt very powerful wearing it. The closing night ceremony is about celebrating the films of the year and the great legacy of films that have been honored at the festival, so this dress felt like the perfect way to pay homage.
WWD: Do you feel you took any big risks with your style during the festival? Any fashion mishaps, anything forgotten or lost or didn’t arrive during the week?
G.G.: The only regret I have is that there are a couple of dresses that didn’t end up being worn! I know I’ll get to wear them sometime in the future, though. But honestly, this was the happiest I’ve been just being myself on the red carpet. Before, I’d often felt that I wasn’t worthy of what I was wearing, and for some mysterious reason, at 40, I found a confidence I’ve never had. I feel immensely grateful that so many designers and craftspeople met my moment of joy and celebration with their incredible artistry.
WWD: Now that the festival is over and the prizes have been awarded, can you describe the experience, from attending multiple screenings per day to attending events at night? How did you balance the two?
G.G.: It was gleeful cinema summer camp, with all my bunkmates being the jury. We were a family for two weeks and it was divine. No one got much sleep, but we laughed so hard, had such good conversations, and finished it off with a huge dance party. Getting to sit in the theater multiple times a day and see the lights dim and the curtains open was heaven.
WWD: What was the overall emotion of these two weeks, or were there varying emotions throughout the weeks?
G.G.: Childlike euphoria, truly. I love movies, and I love cinema, and if I could plan a vacation for myself it would be just this. I knew that being asked to do this was an incredible honor, but the process was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There were nine countries represented on the jury, and we had just under two weeks to watch and discuss 22 films from all over the world. Every single movie we saw was filled with intelligence and empathy and care and love. It was an overwhelming amount of joy. Closing night found me crying the way I cry at the end of a film shoot. It was just that special.
WWD: What was the decision process like with the jury? Did you discuss daily and do check-ins, or wait until the end to dive into the discussions?
G.G.: We would chat informally after every film, and then do a larger meeting every other day. I loved talking to everyone, especially when people saw something in a film that I had missed or seen differently. I wish there were more opportunities in the world to have formal discussions about art like that, and I could feel the process changing me day by day. We spoke all Saturday for final deliberations, and we could have kept talking for another three days at least.
WWD: What is the biggest lesson or insight you gained from your fellow jurors? Did you change the way you view films, your perspective, or what you look for in a film in any way?
G.G.: Each jury member changed me in too many ways count. It was being able to have an intimate series of conversations that were honest that caused that change. Each person on the jury is such a strong cinema artist, and I got a front row seat to how their mind works. The thing I walk away with most is how brave they are in being themselves, wholly, and bringing that to their work.
WWD: With all of the red carpets and events, how did you keep your energy up?
G.G.: The films gave me all the energy I needed. Each time a movie began it was like I was reborn. And I had my merry band to make me feel beautiful — Karla, of course, and my makeup artist Jenn Streicher and hair stylist John D. It was hard to be anything but elated for every minute.
WWD: Will you head back to work or take a break after this intense experience?
G.G.: I’m writing, which is the polar opposite of the two weeks at the festival, but I feel so invigorated by the experience. And I get to be back with my 5-year-old who said to me, “Mom, I saw pictures and you looked very beautiful, just like Willy Wonka.” Which is maybe the best compliment I’ve ever been given.
Best of WWD
