Tilda Swinton plays cheeky prank on Timothée Chalamet at Cannes Film Festival

Tilda Swinton was caught playing a practical joke on co-star Timothée Chalamet at Cannes Film Festival

British actress Tilda Swinton (L) and Us actor Adrien Brody smile as they arrive for the screening of the film "The French Dispatch" at the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on July 12, 2021. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image credit: (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images))

Tilda Swinton showed off her humorous side at Cannes last night with a prank on her costar Timothée Chalamet after the premiere of their latest movie, The French Dispatch. 

The Wes Anderson-directed romcom received a nine-minute standing ovation after it debuted at the iconic French film festival on Monday, giving Tilda ample time to plan a practical joke to play on her fellow actor. 

As the applause came to a close, the Oscar-winner gave Timothée a warm embrace—as well as a rather unorthodox pat on the back. Cameras caught her cheekily sticking her 'Tilda Swinton' seat holder card on her costar's silver jacket, seemingly unbeknownst to the elated American-French actor. Timothée continued clapping along with the audience, blissfully ignorant to his impromptu outfit makeover. 


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The French Dispatch, which has already been met by rave reviews, is a portmanteau of three different stories set in 20th century France. Summarized as 'a love letter to journalists', it primarily follows an American journalist who establishes a newspaper in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. Tilda plays staff writer JKL Berensen, who is tasked with reporting on a convicted murderer. Timothée was cast as Zeffirelli, a student anarchist, and political activist. The film also stars a legion of other Hollywood heavyweights, including Saorise Ronan, Owen Wilson, Elizabeth Moss, and Christoph Waltz. 

Unfortunately, neither Wes Anderson nor the cast of The French Dispatch offered any interviews to reporters at the premiere. The stars of the long-awaited film did, however, come together on the red carpet to flaunt their spectacular suits and gowns. 

CANNES, FRANCE - JULY 12: Timothée Chalamet and Tilda Swinton attend the "The French Dispatch" screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 12, 2021 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Timothée Chalamet and Tilda Swinton attend the "The French Dispatch" screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 12, 2021 in Cannes, France. 

(Image credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty)

Tilda, who has always had a reputation for her experimental style, wore a showstopping pink and orange ensemble designed by Haider Ackemann, complete with a pair of sparkly gold sleeves. Timothée opted to stand out for the evening too, ditching the classic black-tie look for a silver Tom Ford suit. If that wasn't daring enough, he also donned a pair of sleek shades, white boots, and cartilage earrings. 

Now that's what we call a fashion statement. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.