Cannes Film Festival: Must-See Highlights
The Cannes Film Festival: A Celebration of Cinema and Stars
The Cannes Film Festival is set to deliver another exciting two weeks filled with world premieres, glamorous red carpets, parties, and fashion when it kicks off on Tuesday. As the event approaches, anticipation is building around some of the most anticipated moments and appearances.
Main Competition
This year's main competition will feature a total of 22 films vying for the prestigious Palme d'Or, which will be awarded on May 23. Renowned arthouse directors such as Spain's Pedro Almodóvar, Japan's Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Romania's Cristian Mungiu will be up against emerging talents like Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont and French director Léa Mysius.
There is a lot of industry buzz surrounding "Hope" by South Korean director Na Hong-jin, which stars real-life partners Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander. Another film generating attention is "Sheep in the Box," a technology-themed project by acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The nine-member jury this year will be led by South Korean director Park Chan-wook, who will also include Demi Moore, making her return after her standout performance in "The Substance" in 2024.
Hollywood Ghosting
Unlike previous editions that featured major Hollywood releases like "Mission: Impossible" or "Top Gun," no major U.S. studios have chosen Cannes to launch a blockbuster this year. This absence can be attributed to cost-cutting measures, a growing preference for tightly controlled social media-led launches, and the risk of negative reviews from Cannes critics potentially harming a film's success.
However, Vin Diesel and co-star Michelle Rodriguez will make an appearance for a special 25th-anniversary screening of the first film in the "Fast and the Furious" franchise.
John Travolta's Directorial Debut
One actor undeterred by the scrutiny of some of the world's most demanding film critics is movie legend John Travolta. He will bring his own stardust when he unveils his directorial debut, "Propeller One-Way Night Coach," which follows a young boy's journey during the "golden age of aviation."
A-Listers Arrive
Other A-listers from around the globe will descend on the Cannes red carpets, making them some of the most celebrity-heavy places on the planet for the next fortnight. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver are set to promote their in-competition film "Paper Tiger," a thriller directed by American filmmaker James Gray. Rami Malek, known for "Bohemian Rhapsody," will star in "The Man I Love" by Ira Sachs.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, Norwegian star Renate Reinsve, Kristen Stewart, and Woody Harrelson are all featuring in films set to screen for the first time on the French Riviera. Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett are also expected to make appearances, while Barbra Streisand and "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson will receive lifetime achievement awards.
A Russian Return
The appearance of one of Russia's most decorated independent directors, Andrey Zvyagintsev, will be celebrated both for its artistic significance and personal reasons. The Oscar-nominated director of "Leviathan" and "Loveless" nearly died due to complications from COVID-19 and had to flee his homeland after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
His first film since 2017, "Minotaur," tackles the sensitive issue of the Russian bourgeoisie grappling with army conscription at the start of the Ukraine war.
AI-Created Lennon
Director Steven Soderbergh will present his documentary "John Lennon: The Last Interview," which features the Beatles songwriter hours before his murder. Soderbergh has transformed the audio-only recording into a film, using archival pictures as illustration and, controversially, AI-generated images of the late singer.
Football in the Spotlight
Surprisingly, football will play a significant role at the high temple of cinema. A British-made documentary titled "Cantona" explores the legendary French forward Eric Cantona. An Argentine-made film, "The Match," shines a light on the notorious England-Argentina 1986 World Cup match settled by a goal awarded after a handball by Diego Maradona.
Best of the Rest
With war-hit Iran in the news, "Rehearsals for a Revolution" by Pegah Ahangarani, a film about political repression, appears timely. After a Nigerian movie screened in an official slot at Cannes for the first time last year, twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri will represent Nollywood again when they show star-packed "Clarissa."
Picked in the Director's Fortnight competition, it features "The Bear" star Ayo Edebiri and "Selma" actor David Oyelowo. "The Godfather III" and "Ocean's Eleven" actor Andy Garcia presents "Diamond," a passion project he has been working on for 15 years.
Two big-budget war-themed French productions — one on political colossus Charles de Gaulle by former diplomat Antonin Baudry and another on Resistance hero Jean Moulin by Laszlo Nemes — will be major events for the host country.
