As the international film community turns its gaze towards the French Riviera, the renowned Cannes Film Festival gears up for its 77th edition with a slate of global cinematic treasures. Festival organizers revealed a competition lineup that is both rich in talent and diversity, boasting fresh works from storied filmmakers and emerging voices in cinema, all contending for the coveted Palme d’Or.
On a Parisian stage, under the glare of eager press and industry professionals, Thierry Frémaux, Cannes’s esteemed artistic director, alongside Iris Knobloch, festival president, unfurled the roster of films set to dazzle attendees at next month’s festival. This year’s entrants, curated from a flood of 2,000 submissions, testify to a thriving artistic pursuit in the face of recent industry strife, including the impact of last year’s American film industry strikes.
At the heart of the lineup, Yorgos Lanthimos returns with his latest offering, “Kinds of Kindness,” following his Oscar triumph with “Poor Things.” The new film reunites Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe, both celebrated for their roles in Lanthimos’ previous work, ensuring that expectations will be soaring just as high as the glamour over the Mediterranean.
From Italy, Cannes stalwart Paolo Sorrentino delivers “Parthenhope,” a Neapolitan drama infused with his signature storytelling panache, complemented by the gravitas of Gary Oldman. British filmmaking luminary Andrea Arnold, known for “American Honey” and “Fish Tank,” ventures back into the Cannes fold with “Bird,” promising performances from Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski that are sure to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Among the entries generating significant buzz is Ali Abbasi’s intriguing biopic, “The Apprentice,” casting a lens over Donald Trump’s formative business years. Sebastian Stan takes on the lead role, transforming into the real estate mogul himself, while support from Jeremy Strong, embodying Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova, portraying Ivana Trump, rounds out the dynamic ensemble. Abbasi, an Iranian director, is no stranger to Cannes acclaim, following his competition presence with “Holy Spider” in 2022.
The festival’s canvas stretches well beyond these headliners, drawing in a constellation of illustrious directors. David Cronenberg presents “The Shrouds,” featuring Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger; Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada” stars Richard Gere and Uma Thurman; and revered Chinese auteur Jia Zhang-Ke brings “Caught By the Tides” to the cinematic battleground.
American indie champion Sean Baker follows up his prior Cannes successes with “Anora,” and French director Jacques Audiard returns with “Emilia Perez,” hoping to recapture the magic that clinched him the Palme in 2015 for “Dheepan.”
The festival will also mark a momentous occasion for Francis Ford Coppola as his ambitious “Megalopolis” competes, a full half-century since “The Conversation” secured him the Palme d’Or, continuing a career-long relationship with Cannes that has cemented his legacy in the film canon.
Looking back, the previous Cannes edition served as a launchpad for Oscar contenders such as Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” signaling the festival’s enduring impact on the awards circuit. The historic win of “Anatomy of a Fall,” directed by Justine Triet, underscored Cannes’ forward momentum in celebrating female directorial talent.
In a year featuring four female filmmakers in competition, anticipation runs high for further additions to the lineup. Cannes 2024 will not only host competitive screenings but also some eagerly awaited world premieres, including George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and Kevin Costner’s “Horizon, An American Saga,” to be showcased outside of the competition.
Further adding to the festival’s gravitas, George Lucas is slated to accept an honorary Palme d’Or at the closing ceremony. The gala will commence on May 14, with France’s own “The Second Act,” starring Léa Seydoux and Vincent Lindon, setting the celebratory tone.
In a poignant reflection of current global events, some festival entries will carry additional resonance, such as Yolande Zauberman’s documentary “The Beauty of Gaza” and Ukrainian Sergei Loznitsa’s “The Invasion,” documenting the ongoing conflict with Russia.
This year also introduces a novel competitive dimension, with Cannes launching an immersive section dedicated to virtual and augmented reality works, exemplifying the festival’s commitment to innovation in storytelling.
Overseeing the jurors, Greta Gerwig emerges from her “Barbie” success to lead the decision-making for this year’s Palme d’Or. As the Cannes Film Festival unfurls its red carpet, the collective anticipation for this illustrious celebration of cinema is palpable, promising a display of artistry and film-making wizardry that will reverberate throughout the film world.
