Pedro Almodovar is a highly respected film-maker

Almodovar's film Bad Education is a dark portrayal of Catholic priests abusing schoolchildren.

The acclaimed film-maker was joined by cast members including Mexican star Gael Garcia Bernal.

This year's main competition jury is headed by director Quentin Tarantino, who joined Almodovar for the opening.

The jury will judge 18 contenders for the Palme d'Or award.

Almodovar's film is not the only one which is likely to provoke controversy.

Michael Moore, who won an Oscar last year for Bowling For Columbine, is premiering his latest film Fahrenheit 911 at the festival, where it is in competition for the main prize.

The movie is expected to be highly critical of US President George Bush and his foreign policy.

Another film which may spark debate is The Hunt Feast, set in contemporary Iraq and said to feature actual footage of Iraqi prisoners being tortured under ousted leader Saddam Hussein's regime.

A British-Syrian co-production, its cast is made up mainly of British actors, while Syrian Nabil Maleh directed it.

Although it is not yet finished, some of the footage will be screened.

Michael Moore in Cannes this year

The Assassination of Richard Nixon is being screened outside the main competition, but it is also showing at Cannes.

It is based on a true story, and stars Sean Penn as a struggling American furniture salesman in the 1970s who becomes increasingly angry and frustrated at his failed attempt to realise the American dream.

Blaming the then US President Nixon for his woes, he hatches a plan to hijack a plane and crash it into the White House.

Meanwhile, Salam Pax, the "Baghdad Blogger" whose internet diary from inside Iraq was read globally, has been signed up for a film deal. screen.

The 29-year-old Iraqi architect's depicted life in Iraq during the US-led invasion in his book, Baghdad Blog, and film company Intermedia announced it had bought the rights to it.

The French resort has seen rain on the festival's opening day

It described Pax as "like Nick Hornby in the middle of a war".

Another Iraqi, Latif Yuhia, who was employed as a body double for Saddam Hussein, is going to arrive at the festival to promote a �7m film version of his life.

He is now a British-based businessman, having fled his home country.

Controversy caused by the festival itself had also been expected, but it did not happen.

There were fears this year's event could be disrupted by protests from striking French part-time showbusiness workers angry at cuts to their benefits.

A last-minute deal saw Cannes organisers agree to provide them with a meeting space, and allow them to make public speeches during the festival.

After Almodovar's premiere screening began, about 200 activists staged an impromptu sit-down protest outside the Palais des Festivals, but riot police kept order.