A guest from ‘I Love Peru’ attends the ‘Die My Love’ red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2025
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
The Cannes red carpet premiere of Die, My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, took an unexpected turn when a man dressed as a giant condor strutted down the carpet, turning heads and sparking confusion.
The surprise appearance occurred at one of the most anticipated premieres of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. With security and dress codes tighter than ever this year — Cannes recently banned nudity, oversized outfits, and garments with long trains — many wondered how the costumed attendee slipped through.
Festival organisers later clarified that the feathered figure was part of the promotion for I Love Peru, a documentary from actor-director Raphaël Quenard, featured in the Cannes Classics section. “Going through a difficult period, Raphaël Quenard abandons everyone around him and, struck by a disturbing vision, flies to Peru,” reads the official festival synopsis. “In this spiritual quest, he is accompanied by his friend Hugo David.”
In Andean culture, condors symbolise a bridge between heaven and earth, which is a thematic fit for the documentary, but an oddball spectacle amid the glitz of Die, My Love’s premiere.
Festival-goers were surprised the stunt was permitted under the new regulations. Cannes had emphasised in a May 12 statement that “the aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity… and clothing that obstructs guest movement.”
Even stars were affected. Halle Berry, a competition jury member, revealed she had to swap outfits because her original gown had a train too long to comply. “I’m not going to break the rules,” she said. “The nudity part is also probably a good rule.”
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson depart the ‘Die My Love’ red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2025
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
The surreal condor moment only heightened the buzz around Die, My Love, which earned a six-minute standing ovation following its explosive world premiere. Directed by Cannes veteran Lynne Ramsay, the film showcases Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as a couple spiraling into madness.
Ramsay, overcome with emotion, abruptly left the stage mid-ovation. “Wow. I’m so overwhelmed… I’ll see you in a minute,” she said before dashing up the aisle. The film seems to have impressed critics and audiences alike, making it an early Palme d’Or frontrunner and a major sales title.
Published – May 18, 2025 10:33 am IST