Gerwig says intimacy coordinators are sign of #MeToo progress

There has been a lot of talk about the #MeToo movement in France ahead of the festival, following mounting allegations against iconic actor Gerard Depardieu and several directors.

Gerwig, who became the first woman director to make a $1 billion movie last year with "Barbie", said she was optimistic about the improving role of women in cinema.

"It's evolving all the time," she told reporters. "It's not a destination we all reach together, it's something we will keep discussing and figuring out how we want our industry and cinema to be."

She said there were "very many concrete changes" that have happened in the US film industry in recent years, particularly the use of intimacy coordinators who help choreograph sex scenes between actors.

"I think of it the exact same way that I think of a stunt coordinator, a fight coordinator," said Gerwig.

"It's part of building a safe environment, just as if we were fighting with swords -- you wouldn't just see what happens, that would be terrifying!"

Gerwig heads a nine-member jury that will decide the winner of this year's Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, from 22 entries.

Her team includes actors Omar Sy, Eva Green and Lily Gladstone, as well as Palme-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda.

Green said being on the jury was "a very complex role".

"It's quite a challenge because art is so subjective and your decision can change a filmmaker's life. It's a very big responsibility."

Gladstone, who made a splash at the premiere of Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" at last year's festival, admitted to feeling the pressure.

"I thought I just got over my imposter syndrome after last year and now it's starting all over again!" she said.

The Cannes Film Festival runs to May 25 and features new films from Francis Ford Coppola, David Cronenberg and Yorgos Lanthimos in its main competition.