Festival de Cannes: New Additions Enhance the Lineup

Anticipation for the 77th Festival de Cannes is reaching a crescendo, as additions to the lineup have recently been announced. These additions further enrich a program that will undoubtedly win over both audiences and critics.

Un Certain Regard

The Certain Regard section, known for its bold and innovative cinema, welcomes a trio of compelling films. Leading the charge is “When the Light Breaks” by acclaimed Icelandic filmmaker Rúnar Rúnarsson, set to open the Certain Regard section. Joining it are “Niki,” the directorial debut of French actress Céline Sallette, and the animated film “Flow” by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis.

Cannes Premiere

The Cannes Premiere program sees the addition of two poignant French films, further enriching its cinematic tapestry. Gaël Morel presents “Vivre, Mourir, Renaître,” while Jessica Palud brings “Maria,” a compelling exploration of the tragic life of Maria Schneider, known for her iconic role in “The Last Tango in Paris.”

Special Screenings

Several international films have been added to the Special Screenings section lineup. Among them are a Chinese documentary feature directed by Lou Ye that takes place during the pandemic, an Arnaud Desplechin film called “Spectateurs” which centres around the director’s youth and stars Mathieu Amalric, “Nasty” by Romanian director Tudor Giurgiu, and Oliver Stone‘s “Lula,” which is about former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Out of Competition

A film adaptation of “The Count of Monte-Cristo” by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte, featuring Pierre Niney, Anaïs Demoustier and Pierfrancesco Favino, has been included in the Out of Competition lineup.

Official Competition

The Official Competition segment welcomes esteemed filmmakers Michel Hazanavicius, Mohammad Rasoulof, and Emanuel Parvu, enriching the lineup with their distinct voices and compelling narratives. Hazanavicius’ animated feature, “The Most Precious of Cargoes,” offers a poignant exploration of humanity amidst the backdrop of World War II.

The plot of “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” the latest film by Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, is being kept secret. Rasoulof faced opposition from the Iranian government, which prevented him from attending the Cannes Film Festival last year, where he was invited to serve on the jury of Un Certain Regard. Iranian authorities confiscated his passport after he presented “A Man of Integrity” at Telluride, and he was subsequently sentenced to prison. After months of detention due to his health condition, he was recently released.

The last film in the competition is “Three Kilometers to the End of the World” directed by Emanuel Pârvu. The movie revolves around Adi, a 17-year-old boy from a secluded village in the Danube Delta. Adi’s parents make significant financial sacrifices by sending him to study in the nearby city of Tulcea. However, when they discover a difficult truth about their son, they deny him the unconditional love he expected from them.