Elle Fanning looks sensational in an embellished gown at Jeanne Du Barry during Cannes Film Festival

Palais des Festivals provided the glamorous backdrop as the great and the good of celebrity world converged for the 76th Cannes Film Festival. 

And during the opening evening on Tuesday, Elle Fanning looked sensational ahead of the controversial premiere of Jeanne du Barry starring Johnny Depp. 

The actress, 25, dazzled as she graced the prestigious red carpet in a heavily embellished ball gown with a structured peplum bodice. 

Complete with a blush tulle train, Elle ensured that all eyes were on her as she flashed a smile for the cameras. 

She pulled her blonde hair back into a classy updo and opted for a subtle makeup palette with a dusting of silver eyeshadow. 

The star chose to keep her accessories to a minimum, wearing a silver diamond and pearl choker to tie the look together. 

The Cannes red carpet sprang to life again as the 76th Film Festival got underway with the premiere of the Louis XV period drama.

Jeanne du Barry, directed by and co-starring the French actor-director Maïwenn, co-stars Johnny Depp as Louis XV.

It’s his first new film since his trial last year with Amber Heard, his ex-wife.

After both Johnny and Amber accused each other of physical and verbal abuse, a civil jury awarded him $10 million in damages and $2 million to Amber.

In remarks to the press Monday, Cannes director Thierry Fremaux defended the choice, saying Depp is extraordinary in the film and he paid no attention to the trial.

‘To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule, it’s the freedom of thinking, the freedom of speech and the freedom to act within a legal framework,’ said Fremaux.

 ‘If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a film, or the film was banned we wouldn’t be here talking about it.’

This year’s festival promises a Cote d’Azur buffet of spectacle, scandal and cinema set to be served over the next 12 days. 

It’s unspooling against the backdrop of labor unrest. Protests that have roiled France in recent months over changes to its pension system are planned to run during the festival, albeit at a distance from the festival’s main hub.

Meanwhile, an ongoing strike by screenwriters in Hollywood could have unpredictable effects on the French Riviera festival.

But with a festival lined with some much-anticipated big-budget films, including James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of the Destiny and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, the party is sure to go on, regardless.