Joe Jackson & Chris Brown -- We Have Something BIG in Common (PHOTO)

Joe Jackson and Chris Brown came together Thursday during the Cannes Film Festival, and it's no surprise because they have a very strong, common bond.

Brown has made no bones about it ... Michael Jackson was a hugely influential figure in his life and shaped his own singing and dancing.

And on the subject of singing and dancing ... Chris performed sitting down during what appears to be a fancy lunch at the insanely pricey Eden Beach hotel.