Cannes 2010 gears up to open with Robin Hood

The red carpet is unfurled outside the Palais de Festivals for the 63rd edition of the Cannes film festival, which opens tonight with Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. Nineteen films compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or, which will be awarded on 23 May. Robin Hood is not one of them – it screens out of competition
Photograph: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/REUTERS

The press pack, too, is raring to go. Photographers amass for the photocall of this year's Cannes jury
Photograph: LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images

What a change from just a week ago, when workmen with heavy equipment started clean-up operations on Cannes's damaged beach front, after unusually high seas from a storm hit the southeastern coast of France
Photograph: Sebastien Nogier / Reuters

But now, all is ready for the A-listers descending, volcanic ash permitting, on the Côte d'Azur. Here, Cate Blanchett faces the world's photographers at the photocall for Ridley Scott's Robin Hood, ahead of its red-carpet gala screening to open the Cannes film festival tonight
Photograph: Matt Sayles/AP

And here's Cate Blanchett turning her back on the world's press. She plays an all-action Maid Marian in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood
Photograph: Matt Sayles/AP

Here, Cate Blanchett is joined by Robin Hood himself, Russell Crowe, at the press conference for the film, which is running outside the competition lineup at the 63rd Cannes film festival. The film already has a fan in the Guardian's Andrew Pulver, who calls it 'the most rousing possible opener' for the venerable event
Photograph: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images

Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Robin Hood producer Brian Grazer pose during the press conference for the film. Presumably, they are explaining why this Robin does not appear in tights
Photograph: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images

Actor Mark Strong poses for a portrait to promote Robin Hood at the 63rd Cannes film festival. In the film, the British actor plays Godfrey, a villainous toady to the king
Photograph: Mark Mainz/AP

At another Cannes photocall, actor and jury member Benicio del Toro has an initial reaction to the competition lineup
Photograph: Matt Sayles/AP

And here's director Tim Burton, jury president of the 63rd Cannes film festival, who will preside over the panel deciding who goes home with the Palme d'Or in 10 days' time
Photograph: ERIC GAILLARD/REUTERS

No wonder he's smiling – Tim Burton is flanked by fellow Cannes film festival jury members Kate Beckinsale (left) and Giovanna Mezzogiorno
Photograph: LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images