Directed by James Gray, Paper Tiger premiered as the biggest American film at this year's Hollywood-lite Cannes Film Festival with a six-minute standing ovation on Saturday night. The film revolves around the characters Hester and Irwin, played by Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, who are trying to build a family in Queens during the 1980s. A money-making scheme presented by Irwin's flashy brother (Adam Driver) puts them in the crosshairs of the Russian mafia.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter before the film's premiere, Gray stated, "To put it boldly, my aim was to create a very classic drama." He added, "People sometimes push back against the idea of 'classic,' equating it with 'old-fashioned,' but those two things are not the same. Inner conflict, struggle, love, emotion - those things are never old-fashioned."

Scarlett Johansson commented on her character Hester, saying, "I loved that Hester is feminine, gentle, and graceful because she embodies a lot of courage." Hester is a housewife determined to fight for more, but her options dwindle when faced with tragic news.

Johansson, who could not attend the premiere as she is currently working on a prequel to Exorcist for Universal, was unable to travel. However, Adam Driver and Miles Teller walked the red carpet alongside Gray. After the film was screened, Gray attempted to reach out to Johansson during the standing ovation but received no response. Nonetheless, there was great enthusiasm and applause for Driver and Teller.