Woody Allen to open Cannes with Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard and featuring France's current first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, will open the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 11th, with the film also opening in theatres across France on the same day. This comes after the writer-director showcased his previous film You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger at the festival last year.

Described by Allen as celebration of a young man's love for Paris, the veteran filmmaker also said in a statement that the film "...simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better."

With Robert De Niro handed the role of Jury president at this year's Cannes, the actor remarked on the honour and responsibility of such a position: "I know this isn't an easy task for me or my fellow jury members, but I'm very honored and happy to head the jury for this year's Cannes Film Festival."

The full, official selections will be announced in mid-April and the festival will run from the 11th to the 22nd of May.