Cannes 2026: Demi Moore Supports AI In Hollywood, Park Chan-Wook Says Art And Politics Shouldn't Be Divided

The

red carpet for the 79th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival rolled out on Tuesday. At the opening ceremony’s press conference, the members of the esteemed jury spoke about politics, censorship and artificial intelligence. Jury president Park Chan-Wook was accompanied by Hollywood actors Demi Moore and Ruth Negga, Belgian director and screenwriter Laura Wandel, Chinese director Chloé Zhao, Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes, Irish-Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty, Ivorian actor Isaach de Bankolé and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård. During the opening press conference, Moore said that Hollywood must "find ways" to work with AI. Meanwhile, Park Chan-Wook stated that art and politics are not separate.

Demi Moore Supports AI In Hollywood

Asked if society is doing enough to protect itself against AI, she responded, "I don’t know. My inclination would be to say probably not. And there are beautiful aspects to being able to utilise it, but the truth is that it can never replace where true art comes from."The Substance star added that there is nothing to fear. She explained that real art does not come from something physical or technical, but from the soul and spirit of people who create every day. According to her, human essence can never truly be recreated through technology.

Park Chan-Wook On Politics

Park Chan-Wook, known for The Handmaiden (2016), Oldboy (2003) and Decision to Leave (2022), said that he finds it strange to see art and politics being in conflict with each other. He explained that just because a work of art carries a political statement, it should not be viewed as an enemy of art. But, he added that films without political messages should not be ignored either. According to him, even a strong political statement can turn into mere propaganda if it is not expressed artistically.He stressed, "Art and politics are not concepts that are in conflict with each other, as long as they are artistically expressed, they are valuable."

Paul Laverty On Hollywood Supressing Voices Supporting Gaza

Meanwhile, Paul Laverty said that Hollywood should feel ashamed for the way stars like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo have allegedly been treated for speaking against Israel’s war in Gaza. He claimed that the actors were being sidelined because of their views opposing the killing of women and children in Gaza.Laverty, who was arrested last year during a pro-Palestine protest, called them "the best of us." The screenwriter, known for winning Best Screenplay at Cannes for I, Daniel Blake and The Wind That Shakes the Barley, also joked that he hoped they would not get bombed after making such remarks.