Vincent Cassel as France's 'Public Enemy Number One'

The Cannes opening weekend is crucial to a festival designed to woo the world. The focus is not so much on what`s showing in the Grand Théâtre Lumière, but on the parade of stars ascending the red carpet. On Sunday, the cast of a movie-in-the-making provides the glamour, with the festival launching a tantalizing concept, the whiff of a coming attraction. For behind the scene, the first images of Thomas Langmann`s two-part "Public Enemy Number One" are being shown to select professionals.

The adventures of Jacques Mesrine, the legendary bandit of the 1970s, are part of French lore, and the venture is aimed to captivate the international market. The movie is directed by Jean-François Richet. Part 1 will be released later this year; part 2 in 2009. Vincent Cassel plays Mesrin...