Allen film kicks off Cannes

US director's Midnight in Paris launches this year's festival...

09:50 13 May 2011

The 64th Cannes Film Festival has begun with a screening of Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

Seventy-five-year-old Allen was joined on the red carpet at the event by cast members Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Michael Sheen.

The film, directed by Allen, which also features French first lady Carla Bruni and follows a writer who goes back in time to 1920s Paris.

Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp are also among the stars attending the festival in the south of France, which runs until 22 May.

The critics have been kind to the US director's latest film, with Variety saying the romantic comedy had "an undeniably populist appeal" and the Daily Telegraph describing it as "Allen's best film since Vicky Cristina Barcelona".

Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek were also on hand at the festival to promote their latest film, upcoming animated feature Puss in Boots.

British hopes this year rest on We Need to Talk about Kevin, one of 20 films up for the prestigious Palme d'Or.

On the international jury this year are actors Jude Law and Uma Thurman, who join chairman Robert DeNiro.