Master of Ceremonies Monica Bellucci puts on a steamy display with co-host Alex Lutz S-News

She was famously seduced by secret agent James Bond during her last film appearance in box-office smash Spectre.

But it was Monica Bellucci who worked her irresistible charms while fulfilling a prestigious role as Master of Ceremonies at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.

The Italian model and actress, 52, entertained guests inside the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès by passionately kissing her co-host, French comedian Alex Lutz, during a playful exchange.

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A vision in black: Monica Bellucci who worked her irresistible charms while fulfilling a prestigious role as Master of ceremonies at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony on Wednesday evening

Cupping a hand over his face, former Bond girl Monica leaned into the 38-year old while planting a kiss on his lips ahead of the opening night premiere of new film Ismael’s Ghost.

The sultry star already commanded attention by virtue of her outfit – a striking semi-sheer navy Dior gown with a delicately cinched waistline.

An off-the-shoulder detail further ensured the pleated design caught the eye as Monica made her way across the stage, where she warmly greeted Cannes Jury President Pedro Almodovar – albeit with rather less intimacy than her previous exchange with Lutz.

A glittering statement necklace gave the ensemble an extravagant focal point, while her tousled raven locks were effortlessly styled with a simple centre parting.

Here we go: The Italian model and actress, 52, entertained guests ahead inside the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès by passionately kissing her co-host, French comedian Alex Lutz, during a playful exchange

Close: Cupping a hand over his face, former Bond girl Monica leaned into the 38-year old while planting a kiss on his lips ahead of the opening night premiere of new film Ismael’s Ghost

I’ve got you: The exchange served as light relief ahead of the opening night screening

Elsewhere, Monica has been vocal about how little effort she puts into staying in shape.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, she said that she doesn’t favour the gym in a quest to stay slim, instead preferring to enjoy life and eat pasta and cake.

Monica explained: ‘I’m not someone who wakes up at 6am to go to the gym.

You’re going nowhere: Monica gripped the comedian’s hair while kissing him on the lips

It’s a bum deal: The sultry Italian star appeared to grab her co-host’s bottom

Close contact: Lutz was forced to lean back as Monica moved in for her kiss

All done: The comedian looked rather flustered during his exchange with the former Bond girl

‘The truth is that I like cakes and pasta, the odd glass of wine and a very occasional cigarette. My advice is: eat well, drink well, have good 𝓈ℯ𝓍 – and laugh a lot. The rest comes all on its own.’

Despite her laid-back advice, Monica recently admitted she was not adverse to a bit of extra technological help.

She said she was glad that magazines were airbrushing less than in the past and that the public was learning to love stars’ little ‘imperfections’.

Looking good: Monica commanded attention by virtue of her outfit – a striking semi-sheer black evening gown with a delicately cinched waistline.

Striking: An off-the-shoulder detail further ensured the pleated design caught the eye as Monica made her way across the stage

Hard to miss: A glittering statement necklace gave the ensemble an extravagant focal point, while her tousled raven locks were effortlessly styled with a simple centre parting

Even so ‘I say thank heavens for retouching. It’s airbrushing that saves us,’ she declared.

Reflecting on the Cannes film festival, Monica recently admitted the strong female presence at this year’s ceremony was a ‘sign of the times.’

She told WWD: ‘As a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, I used to dream about all the Italian leading ladies like Sophia Loren, Silvana Mangano and Monica Vitti, but at the time, for actresses all over the world, regardless of their beauty and talent, after 40 it became so difficult to hold on to a career. And now things are changing.

‘I live in France where there are all these incredible actresses like Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve or Nathalie Baye, and in England you have Helen Mirren and Judi Dench.

‘In James Bond, I was in it for maybe 15 minutes, but there was such a strong reaction to the role because it was the first time in history that a [mature] woman was in James Bond’s arms.’

Finishing touches: The star accentuated her features with smoky eyeshadow and soft pink lipstick

Encouraging: Reflecting on the Cannes film festival, Monica recently admitted the strong female presence at this year’s ceremony was a ‘sign of the times’