American director Woody Allen's latest work Midnight in Paris, featuring a cameo appearance by French first lady Carla Bruni, opened this year's Cannes film festival to applause on Wednesday.

Allen's romantic comedy was shot in Paris and tells the story of a young man exploring his relationship to art, history and life.  The movie, like all of those presented at the 12-day annual festival, will be judged by a panel led by actor Robert de Niro.

Bruni, the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, did not make it to the red-carpet extravaganza, which is held amid yachts and Hollywood celebrities on the French Riviera.