The Cannes Film Festival, considered one of the largest festivals of cinema in the world, is starting from Tuesday. The 79th edition of the world’s most prestigious film festival comes at a time when the film industry is grappling with the emergence of AI, political influence in film production and Hollywood’s reluctance to participate in film festivals. Amidst all this, Cannes will be expected to be in the headlines (for good things) over the next two weeks.
A look at everything to look forward to when Cannes rolls out its red carpet for cinema royalty on May 12.
symbol title main competition
Twenty-two films from around the world are part of the festival’s main competition, competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or for Best Film. These include the latest films from cine icons such as Spain’s Pedro Almodovar, Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda and Romania’s Cristian Mungiu, as well as emerging talents such as Belgium’s Lucas Dhont and France’s Le Massius.
The AI- and technology-themed Sheep in the Box by Hirokazu Kore-eda is considered one of the frontrunners, along with Hope by South Korean director Na Hong-jin.
This year the nine-member jury is led by South Korean director Park Chan-wook and also includes Demi Moore. The awards will be given on May 23.
the great swindler of hollywood
Unlike previous editions, when Tom Cruise brought his blockbuster films to the festival or Disney premiered the Star Wars films, this year, Hollywood’s biggest films are absent from Cannes. Upcoming films like Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey or Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day will not premiere at the film festival.
Reasons for their absence included cost-cutting, their increasing preference for tightly controlled social media-led launches, and the risk that criticism from Cannes critics could ruin a film.
However, Hollywood will not be completely absent. The Fast and the Furious’ Vin Diesel and co-star Michelle Rodriguez will be flying in for a special 25th anniversary screening of the franchise’s first film. And John Travolta will unveil his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach. Other top stars expected to attend include Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, who star in the independent film Paper Tiger, while Rami Malek will promote The Man I Love. Barbra Streisand and director Peter Jackson will receive lifetime achievement awards. But the big studios are missing from this year’s Cannes lineup.
an ai john lennon
Director Steven Soderbergh will present his documentary John Lennon: The Last Interview, which shows The Beatles songwriter just hours before his murder. Soderbergh has turned the audio-only recording into a film, using archival photographs as illustrations and, controversially, AI-generated images of the late singer.
Indian stars in attendance
This year many top Indian stars will walk the red carpet of Cannes. Festival favorite Aishwarya Rai, who has been a staple at Cannes for over two decades, will return once again. Alia Bhatt, who is making a comeback after her debut last year, will be with him. Aditi Rao Hydari and Tara Sutaria will also attend.
India’s official delegation will be represented by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker as the newly appointed Director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Many stalwarts and big names of regional cinema will also mark their presence, including Punjabi actor-singer Ammy Virk, Marathi veterans Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Saraf and Gujarati actor-producer Mansi Parekh.
Filmmaker Chidambaram, best known for Manjummel Boys, will be showcasing the best of Malayalam cinema at Cannes this year as he takes his upcoming film Balan: The Boy to the Cannes market.