CANNES, May 9 — Veteran US director Martin Scorsese and Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett officially opened the Cannes film festival yesterday, the first to be held since the cinema industry was rocked by the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

In a symbolic gesture, Scorsese invited Blanchett, who heads the female-majority jury for the Palme d'Or this year, to join him on stage to declare the 71st edition of the festival open. — AFP-Relaxnews