Kristen Stewart and Woody Harrelson’s star power shone brightly inside the Palais at the premiere of their new film, the absurd father-daughter comedy “Full Phil” from French musician and filmmaker Quentin Depieux. Before the screening began, Depieux and his cast, including Charlotte Le Bon and Emma Mackey (whose last film, “Ella McCay,” was a massive hit in France), earned loud applause from what looked like a full house. The audience for the midnight screening was rowdy and ready to see their favorite celebrities on screen.
The surreal comedy elicited laughter throughout, but ultimately seemed to fall flat with the crowd. As the credits rolled, the audience clapped politely. “When the lights came up, the crowd stood and cheered for the cast — and roared for Stewart. Stewart indulged the fans by pulling faces at the camera and waving up to the balcony; as the clapping went on, she danced in place and did her best to divert attention back to her co-stars.
“I’ll be very brief because everyone wants to leave, I imagine,” Dupieux said, taking the microphone and cutting off the applause. “It’s kind of you to stay, it’s really nice, but it’s late.”
He used the moment to salute some of his collaborators and below-the-line artisans, including producer Hugo Sélignac, musician Siriusmo, and his wife, artistic director Joan Le Boru, as well as the cast.
“I want to live with artists and work with artists. Thank you, Cannes, thank you very much,” Dupieux said, ending his remarks with a literal mic drop.
“Full Phil” stars Stewart and Harrelson as a father-daughter duo who travel to Paris in an attempt to reconnect. However, French cuisine, a 1950s horror movie and a nosy hotel employee interrupt their stay. Besides Stewart, Harrelson and Mackey, “Full Phil” also stars Emma Mackey, Charlotte Le Bon, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.
Dupieux was last at Cannes with his 2024 comedy “The Second Act,” which opened that year’s festival. Stewart was on the Croisette last year to premiere her directorial debut “The Chronology of Water,” starring Imogen Poots as a swimmer overcoming addiction, which received critical acclaim.
In an interview with Variety, Stewart said she had been “dying” to work with Dupieux due to his DIY approach. “I love his movies. They just don’t look or feel like anyone else’s, and those are the types of directors that actors are so lucky to be able to follow,” she said. “He holds the camera at all times. You are with him, connected completely. He knows how he’s going to edit it by the end of the day. If he’s missing a shot, he gets it. He’s beyond an auteur, he’s like a mastermind.”
