Coronavirus made sure last year’s Cannes Film Festival was cancelled for the first time since World War II.
And so perhaps it was no surprise that some of Hollywood’s hottest stars and celebrities have clamoured to strut their stuff on the red carpet for this year’s rearranged showpiece.
The celebration of cinema is a big deal in the film industry, giving chance for stars of the silver screen to show a spit of flamboyant glamour.
A-listers have flocked to the south of France for the 74th annual festival.
And with many prestigious awards ceremonies having been conducted virtually this year, Cannes has given the great and the good of the film industry the chance to let their hair down and mingle without face masks.
A spot of French Riviera fun is just what the doctor order, as the glitzy bash takes centre stage for the next nine days until July 17.
The high-profile festival was officially declared open earlier this by Bong Joon-ho - who won last year's Palme d'Or for Parasite - along with director Pedro Almodovar, Hollywood actress Jodie Foster and acclaimed director Spike Lee, in a mix of Korean, Spanish, French and English languages.
And the first night of the festival launched the premiere of Annette, a musical starring Hollywood actor Adam Driver and French Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard.
Marion shone in a metallic one-shoulder Chanel dress with waist peplum to help kick off proceedings in style, while Star Wars actor Adam looked smart in a stylish dinner suit.
The celebrated event rolled out the red carpet for its second day with the premieres of Everything Went Fine by prolific French filmmaker François Ozon, and The Velvet Underground, a documentary by Todd Haynes that follows the story of the world-famous rock band.
Stars Sophie Marceau, Diane Kruger, Jane Birkin and Charlotte Gainsbourg all walked the red carpet, which was again lined with tuxedoed photographers and surrounded by eager onlookers.
Kruger wowed in a dramatic sheer Giorgio Armani gown, while French model Didi Stone Olomide opted for a flamboyant white corset design with a flowing train.
And they followed a string of stars who dazzled as the festival kicked off in style.
Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain looked stunning a stylish black strapless Dior Couture gown and Chopard jewellery, while British star Dame Helen Mirren wowed in a bright yellow dress and also a chic white shirt dress having swapped outfits.
The stunning models Bella Hadid and Candice Swanepoel gave the event some welcome sex appeal.
Bella wore a show-stopping vintage Jean Paul Gauthier dress, as well as stunning Lanvin number, while Candice blew fans away in an elegant Etro halterneck dress.
Meanwhile actress Maggie Gyllenhaal – who is a member of the judging panel – looked decidedly glamorous as she embraced the limelight.
Actress Andie MacDowell sparkled on the red carpet while jury president Spike pulled out all the stops in an eye-catching hot-pink Louis Vuitton suit.
The model Carla Bruni, who is married to former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, understandably caught the snappers’ eyes as she dazzled.
French actress Elsa Zylberstein raised eyebrows with her sexy sheer dress that left little to the imagination and her wardrobe malfunction when she inadvertently flashed her knickers on the red carpet.
But although the glamorous attire is all part and parcel of the extravagant show, it’s this year’s films that are the main talking point.
Sean Penn’s Flag Day and Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch are just two of the 24 films up for nomination at the festival.
