The musical tribute to Peter Jackson during the opening of the Cannes Film Festival, whose mistress of ceremonies is the actress Eye Haïdara, was to offer a highlight. However, Theodora and Oklou’s cover of the Beatles quickly divided the public and Internet users. In the room, applause accompanied the performance of the two artists. But on social networks, criticism increased after the broadcast of images of the ceremony of this 79th edition.
An ambitious tribute applauded on the Croisette
Like every year, the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival ended with a highly anticipated musical sequence. After the notable performances of Zaho de Sagazan in 2024 then of Mylène Farmer in 2025, Theodora and Oklou had the heavy task of continuing this tradition. This time, the organization had imagined a tribute to Peter Jackson, who came to receive a Palm of Honor. The reference to the Beatles seemed obvious since the New Zealand director directed the documentary The Beatles: Get Back. Eye Haïdara also introduced the number with an extract from the film showing the famous British group singing the first notes of Get Back before abruptly stopping.
Continuing this staging, Theodora and Oklou then appeared on stage at the Palais des Festivals to cover the cult piece released in 1969. Oklou provided accompaniment on electric guitar while Theodora performed the title in front of the Cannes audience. On site, the room seemed won over. Peter Jackson smiled during the performance and even hummed a few lyrics. In the atmosphere, the spectators beat time before warmly applauding the two artists at the end of the piece. On paper, the system appeared coherent and the homage perfectly in line with the musical universe associated with the New Zealand filmmaker.
On social networks, the performance triggers a wave of criticism
However, the atmosphere turned out to be very different on social networks after the performance was broadcast by Franceinfo on X. Very quickly, negative comments accumulated under the video. Some Internet users did not mince their words. “What a massacre,†one of them wrote. Another drives home the point with an even harsher review: “The worst cover of a Beatles song. A massacre.†In a few hours, the musical sequence became one of the most commented on subjects of this opening of the Cannes Film Festival. Several users also regretted a lack of emotion or power in the interpretation proposed by the duo. Other reactions preferred irony to express their disappointment. “It looks like the karaoke at the Flots Bleus campsite in Palavas,” says an Internet user, a formula quickly taken up online. Some have also compared this cover to old versions of the song performed by Tina Turner, Ike Turner and Paul McCartney. “When I think of the covers of this song by Tina Turner with Ike, with Paul McCartney, and I hear that, I say to myself that it was better before……†, we can read among the comments. This contrast between the warm welcome at the Palais des Festivals and the violence of the digital reactions once again illustrates the gap that can exist between a live ceremony and its reception on the Internet.
