23.05.2025

Leonardo DiCaprio’s masterclass in speechcraft as he honors Robert De Niro with the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025

A moving speech by Leo in honoring Robert De Niro, reflecting grace and honor.

Words: Raja Izz

Leonardo DiCaprio au Festival de Cannes 2025.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images


My earliest memory of Leonardo DiCaprio began - perhaps like many of yours - with Titanic.

I was a secondary school student then, and Leo portrayal of Jack Dawson etched into my mind what manly chivalry could look like: sacrificing comfort for love, dignity for another’s safety, and, ultimately, his life for a lady he cherished. It was a performance soaked in honor. In some ways, Titanic was not merely a film-it was a poetic lesson on being chivalrous. That memory has never faded.

Last week, at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, that same spirit resurfaced - not on screen, but on stage. DiCaprio was there to honor the legendary Robert De Niro with the prestigious Palme d’Or. And what unfolded was not just a tribute. It was a masterclass in spirit. It was, in every sense, a gentleman’s speech.

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Leonardo DiCaprio presented Robert De Niro with the honorary Palme d'Or.

Credit : Andreas Rentz/Getty

 

He stepped onto the stage not with bombast, but with quiet authority. His voice steady, his words measured. But what poured forth was not just admiration - it was something spiritual. There was an aura around his presence, a depth that pulled the audience at Cannes into a collective stillness. And as he spoke, you could sense the audience wasn't just watching - they were feeling.

DiCaprio began with gratitude, giving honor where honor is due. He thanked De Niro, his mentor, his cinematic father figure. But more than that, he painted a picture of a man who taught him not just how to act - but how to carry oneself in the world. It wasn’t about applause. It was about reflection.

 

“Every once in a while, even the most private giants deserve their moment. A moment to be acknowledged. Not just for their work, but for the quiet, lasting influence they've had on so many lives. On my life.” - DiCaprio complimented Robert De Niro at Cannes 2025

Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro on May 13, 2025.

Photo credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

 

He then spoke about truth - how Robert De Niro has always insisted upon it, in performance and in life. “Hi father was a serious artist committed to the truth through creativity. And you can feel the influence in Robert De Niro (Bob) work, too,” he said. “And Robert De Niro has just tell the truth, no matter how complicated or messy that truth may be.” That line echoed through the Palais like scripture. And in a world where image so often eclipses substance, DiCaprio dared to remind us that substance is what gives image its soul.

But it wasn’t just what he said - it was how he said it. There was no need for theatrics. His delivery was clean, stripped of ego, and rich in intention. It was the kind of speech that didn’t just commend a man, but raised the bar for manhood itself.

One couldn’t help but see the arc of DiCaprio’s own evolution reflected in that moment. From Jack Dawson’s youthful idealism to this Cannes speech, Leo has grown into a figure who understands that being a man of worth means standing for something more than self. He spoke as a man who has not only witnessed greatness, but who has quietly, powerfully, embodied it.

In our time - when masculinity is often misunderstood, and public speech is filled with self-promotion - DiCaprio’s tribute was a rare act of grace. It wasn’t a performance. It was an offering. And in that offering, we saw a man shaped by reverence for those who came before him, and a deep sense of duty to honor them with words that matter.

You can watch the full speech here, and perhaps feel what I felt - an elevation of the spirit. A rekindling of belief in quiet strength. And a glimpse of what it means to speak not just with your voice, but with your soul.

About the Author

Raja Izz

Raja Izz (MBA) is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Gentleman's Code (GC), a publication that champions elegance and refined living.

Since its inception in 2018, under Raja Izz’s leadership, GC has reached remarkable milestones, including being recognized as one of the Top 20 Digital Men’s Magazines by Feedspot in 2025 and ranking #1 for “Elegant Man” by Google in the same year.

The magazine has also played a pivotal role in celebrating and defining the modern gentleman, with notable recognitions such as the GC Man of the Year and GC Elegant Man awards.

With his signature blend of gravitas and grace, Raja Izz does not seek the spotlight. Instead, he builds the platform—for others to rise, for values to return, and for men to remember who they once aspired to be.

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