French director Olivier Dahan's Grace of Monaco will open the Cannes Film Festival May 14. It will screen in the festival's Official Selection out of competition.

Starring Nicole Kidman as Grace, the film portrays a period in the life of the American-born actress who became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III (Tim Roth) in 1956, in what was dubbed “the marriage of the century.” An Oscar winner, she was already a huge film star, having worked with great filmmakers including John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Fred Zinnemann and acclaimed the world over. Six years later, amid occasional difficulties in fulfilling her role, she was invited back to Hollywood by Alfred Hitchcock, to play in his new film Marnie.

At the time, France was threatening to tax and even annex Monaco, the tiny Principality whose monarch Kelly had become. Dahan previously directed La Vie en Rose (2007) which garnered Marion Cotillard the Oscar for Best Actress in 2008. Grace of Monaco will be released on the opening day of the Festival, Wednesday 14 May, in France and in several cities around the world.

Frank Langella, Parker Posey, Jeanne Balibar, Sir Derek Jacobi and Paz Vega, who plays Maria Callas, also star in the film. Grace of Monaco will be released on the opening day of the Festival, Wednesday 14 May, in France and in several cities around the world.

As previously announced, Jane Campion will serve as Jury President of the festival. The 67th Cannes Film Festival will take place May 14 – 25.