melgibson230summit.jpgMel Gibson may have had a rough year so far personally, but his new flick The Beaver is giving his professional life a boost.

The Jodie Foster-directed movie just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and after it finished, the audience gave a 10-minute standing ovation, according to Deadline.

Gibson missed the press conference for the film earlier today, however he did find the time to goof off on his hotel balcony ... shirtless and smoking.

Click HERE to see the 55-year-old actor topless and getting crazy in Cannes.