Robert De Niro, the ace US actor, has criticised President Donald Trump at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, De Niro labelled Trump a “philistine president” while slamming him over his reported plans to impose tariffs on foreign-produced films.
Addressing the audience, the 81-year-old actor argued that creativity should not be commodified. He also expressed concern over the state of democracy in the United States, emphasising the unifying power of art.
“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted. That affects all of us here, because art is the crucible that brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That’s why art is a threat,” he said.
“That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists. America’s philistine president had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education.
“You can’t put a price on creativity but apparently you can put a tariff on it. Of course, this is unacceptable. All of these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one.”
De Niro also called on the public to resist Trump’s influence peacefully but passionately.
“Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now. Without violence, but with great passion and determination. It’s time for everyone who cares about liberty to organise to protest, and when there are elections, vote,” he said.
“Vote. Tonight, and for the next 11 days, we show our strength and commitment by celebrating art in this glorious festival. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
This is not the first time De Niro has publicly denounced Trump. In 2018, he called the then-president-elect a “bad example for New York and America”.
