78th Cannes Film Festival: The Shadow of Cannes

There are moments in life when you think, “Nothing will ever be the same again!” For me, that moment came during my journey to the 78th Cannes Film Festival, from May 17 to 24. It was a turning point — dividing my life into before and after. But it didn’t happen all at once.

It all began with my travel companion and guide on this journey, fashion designer Jade Gritsfeldt, saying, “Come on, you’re going to Cannes!” I first tried to get accredited as a journalist, but the applications were closed. All obstacles and coincidences led me to apply as a filmmaker and author instead.

And that felt like a sign from the universe: “A new path is opening for you, Arda. Are you ready?”

At that moment, I started feeling the impact of Neptune moving into Aries astrologically—a time when dreams and intuition meet courage. Neptune is the planet of dreams, Aries is the sign of action and bold steps. In that moment, I was boldly opening the curtain on my own life’s stage…

And I accepted that call with all my heart. From the very start, I knew: this journey wouldn’t just be a festival experience—it would be the beginning of an inner journey.

From the moment I stepped into Cannes, the people I met changed the nature of the journey. Yes, there were photographers, actors, directors, designers, and entertainment industry figures. But what surprised me most was that even in those ultra-luxurious hotels, VIP events, and beneath the red carpets, I met people pursuing enlightenment—those curious about the awakening of Kundalini, on a spiritual quest. The people of the new era were seeking themselves even in Cannes!

And without a doubt, the most unforgettable character in this journey was Jasz… That magical woman who appeared on the beach like a scene from a film… With her outfit, accessories, spiritual vibe, and mythological presence, she embodied a goddess. Seeing her reminded me of legendary actress Ayla Algan, whom we lost last year. It was as though her spirit had appeared in another form.

Jasz was a producer who claimed she’d rented a château near Cannes and spearheaded several projects—living as if she’d come from another world. Then I discovered she was actually living in an old Peugeot parked on the beach, holding onto the love, loss, and dreams of her lost cat, Pashmina…

At that moment, I realized: this was the real face of Cannes. It’s an illusion of red carpets, champagne, and prestige events. Everyone lives in a script they’ve written and directed themselves. Cannes is a massive film set where dreams, lies, and hopes intertwine. And Jasz was the most magical and authentic character in that simulation—an archetype, a saint.

She told us: “Cannes has changed because you arrived!”

Astrologically speaking, Neptune’s entry into Aries signals a call to awakening—on both personal and collective levels. It’s no longer enough just to dream; action is required. I experienced this firsthand in Cannes—a contrast of luxury and grandeur on one side, and internal seeking, losses, loneliness, aspirations on the other. Everyone walking Cannes’ shadows was on their own movie journey.

And yes, there was an unforgettable event: on my flight back to Berlin at the festival’s end, a major blackout swept over Southern France, affecting around 160,000 people. Suddenly, Cannes’ lights went out. It faded into shadows, reflecting Jasz’s words about “the shadows of Cannes!” In that moment, I thought: Cannes had truly shifted in the darkness. Just as I had changed.

This journey was more than a trip—it was a fracture. Looking through the airplane window at the clouds, I realized that life was now divided into “before the 78th Cannes Film Festival” and “after the 78th Cannes Film Festival.”

But its most vital message was:

True growth doesn’t lie on the red carpet, in flashy hotels, stage lights, or among famous names—it lies in the power of love. It’s the ability to choose unity and wholeness despite ego’s resistance. It’s the strength to choose love amidst all fears and mental traps. It’s the skill to be present and express love from the depths of the heart. It’s hidden in the drop of rain uniting with the sea, in tears born of love…

Jasz reminded me of this. Beneath Cannes’ shadow, a golden light shone—and that light came from the purity, search, and passion of the human spirit.

Now I know: this sign from Cannes opens the door to new projects, new stories, and new journeys. And it’s not just for me—it’s for all of us. As we approach the second half of 2025, astrology and collective energy whisper:

“Be brave, pursue your dreams, and write your own film.”

So tell me: Are you ready?

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