📰 Continuing coverage: ‘Paper Tiger’ Review: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller Deliver Big Time in James Gray’s Operatically Intense Crime Drama

Director James Gray James Gray stood onstage at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday night, holding his phone toward the audience. He tried to patch in Scarlett Johansson Scarlett Johansson via FaceTime so she could share in the seven-minute standing ovation for Paper Tiger, his latest film. The crowd roared for seven straight minutes after the credits rolled. But Johansson, who stars in Paper Tiger, wasn’t on the line. She’s in Atlanta right now filming the upcoming The Exorcist: Belial reboot, so she couldn’t take the call in real time. Gray later shared the moment online, calling it an “emotional surprise” for the audience. The ovation wasn’t just long—it was unusually intense, by Cannes standards. Most standing ovations at the festival last 30 seconds to a minute. Seven minutes is rare, even for films that go on to win major awards. Critics and the press called it one of the most enthusiastic reactions of the festival so far, with many singling out Johansson’s performance for praise. The film is a gritty drama set in the 1970s, following a troubled family navigating secrets and betrayal. Johansson plays the matriarch, a role that matches her dramatic range after blockbusters like Black Widow and Jojo Rabbit. Gray has worked with Johansson before—she starred in his 2019 film Ad Astra, a sci-fi drama that also premiered in Cannes to strong reviews. That film didn’t get a standing ovation, but Paper Tiger clearly hit a nerve with the audience. The Cannes crowd isn’t shy about showing displeasure, so a seven-minute ovation signals real excitement. It also helps that Paper Tiger is Gray’s most personal film in years. He’s known for dark, character-driven stories, and this one leans into his own family history. In interviews, Gray has called it his “most autobiographical” work, though he hasn’t shared many details. Johansson’s absence only added to the moment. Instead of a live reaction, Gray played a recording of her voice thanking the audience for their support. The crowd didn’t seem to mind. If anything, the delay made it feel more special—like a delayed cheer for a teammate who couldn’t be there. It’s a reminder that Cannes isn’t just about the glamour. It’s about the art, and the people who bring it to life, even when they’re not in the room. For Johansson, the ovation wasn’t just for the film. It was a moment of recognition for her range and dedication, even when she’s stuck on a soundstage miles away. The film hasn’t been released yet, but with this kind of buzz, it’s already a contender for awards season. Gray and Johansson have said they’ll promote it together when it hits theaters later this year. Until then, the seven-minute ovation will live on as one of the most talked-about moments of Cannes 2024.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Variety
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 21:50 UTC
  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topics: #variety · #movies · #hollywood · #entertainment · #scarlett-johansson-doesn · #pick

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O mundo do cinema global parou para ovacionar a atriz Scarlett Johansson pelo seu trabalho em Paper Tiger, mas a homenagem ao vivo não pôde ser compartilhada com a estrela: enquanto a multidão no Festival de Cannes se levantava por sete minutos para aplaudir sua performance, ela estava ocupadíssima gravando cenas do reboot de O Exorcista do outro lado do oceano.

A cena, que viralizou nas redes sociais, revelou mais do que um momento curioso: destacou o ritmo frenético de Hollywood, onde atores de peso transitam entre projetos épicos e estreias apressadas, muitas vezes perdendo eventos simbólicos por conta de compromissos inadiáveis. Para o público brasileiro, acostumado a acompanhar as estreias de grandes produções em tempo real, a imagem serviu como um lembrete de como a indústria cinematográfica global, embora unida em admiração, opera em fusos horários e agendas que nem sempre permitem celebrações presenciais. A situação também reacendeu debates sobre a disponibilidade de estrelas em eventos internacionais, um tema que ganha relevância em um mercado cada vez mais competitivo e digital.

Agora, resta saber se Johansson conseguirá assistir ao vídeo da homenagem ou se o momento ficará apenas como mais uma anedota nas redes sociais antes do lançamento do aguardado terror de 2025.