CANNES, France — Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” stars June Squibb as a 94-year-old woman who, out of grief and loneliness, does a terrible thing.

Squibb leads “Eleanor the Great,” only the second starring role for the 95-year-old actor in a performance that audibly moved the film festival crowd.

The star came across the script for “Eleanor the Great,” already starring June Squibb, and instantly realized, “I know how to make it.” Now she wants to direct again.