Director and cast members pose on the red carpet before the world premiere of U.S. director Ron Howard's film 'The Da Vinci Code' at the 59th Cannes Film Festival May 17, 2006.

Sidney Poitier officially opened the 59thCannes Film Festivalas the cast of "The Da Vinci Code" led agalaxyof stars bringing glitz and glamour to the French Riviera.

"As I stand here in this atmosphere where the genius of so many of the world's great cinema auteurs still lingers, I am honoured in the extreme and privileged beyond words to welcome the present generation .. who will surely come with a genius of their own," the 79-year-old actor told the opening ceremony.

Earlier "Da Vinci" director Ron Howard and co-stars Tom Hanks and French actress Audrey Tautou -- dressed in an off-the-shoulder, white mini dress and high, silver sling-backs -- set the cameras whirring as they gathered on the Cannes Croisette.

Thousands of people had gathered behind carefully guarded barrierscraningfor a glimpse of the stars, including the members of the Cannes jury headed this year by Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai.

Other celebrities on the red carpet were Italian actress Monica Bellucci, in a shimmering classic long black dress, Britain's Helena Bonham-Carter and her husband Tim Burton.

Wong addressed the opening of the festival in Chinese saying he was very flattered to be in Cannes, and wishing everyone a "bon festival".

Earlier arrivals included Samuel L. Jackson, Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, in a stunning red dress with a long fan train, Andie MacDowell and directors Gus Van Sant and David Cronenberg.

French actress Juliette Binoche, wearing an apricot dress, arrived arm in arm with Poitier.

 
(Agencies)