娱乐英语新闻:Moonrise Kingdom kicks off Cannes film festival

CANNES, France, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Moonrise Kingdom, a 1960s drama by American director Wes Anderson, has kicked off the 65th Cannes film festival here on Wednesday as filmmakers and movie stars from all over the world are preparing for the red-carpet walk on the steps of the palace later in the afternoon.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, the opening film tells a story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love and run away together into wilderness and then a violent storm turn the peaceful island community upside down.

After the film's premiere at the palace, Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward, the leading child actor and actress, told reporters at a press conference that they enjoyed themselves throughout the shooting.

Edward Norton, also an actor in the film, commented that the director put together "one of the greatest trips in modern cinema", while Bill Burray said it was "an honor to be asked back" and work with Wes Anderson again.

The 43-year-old director is known for working with many of the same actors and crew on varying projects. He told reporters that he enjoyed working with friends, as "every time we started as a little reunion and since the Moonrise Kingdom we will have a bigger family."

The film, along with 21 other selected ones, will be competing for coveted Palme d'Or award in front of a nine-strong jury headed by Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti as the world's top movie showcase will run for 12 days at the Riviera resort.

The festival's president Gilles Jacob said earlier that with Wes Anderson opening the festival, "young American cinema will be celebrated on the Croisette."