Cannes sets lineup heavy on international auteurs

Global Cinema Heavyweights to Premiere New Works at 79th Cannes Film Festival

The 79th Cannes Film Festival has unveiled an impressive lineup dominated by international auteurs, setting the stage for what promises to be a celebration of global cinema when the event runs from May 12-23 in the South of France.

At a press conference in Paris on Thursday, festival organizers announced that 21 films will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or. The competition features new works from acclaimed filmmakers including Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski with “Fatherland,” a Cold War drama starring Sandra Hüller. Pawlikowski, known for Oscar-nominated films “Ida” and “Cold War,” returns to familiar historical territory with his latest project.

Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose “Drive My Car” garnered significant international acclaim, will present his French-language debut “All of a Sudden.” Spanish cinema icon Pedro Almodovar brings “Bitter Christmas,” which has already been released in his home country, to the competition.

American representation in the main competition appears limited this year, with Ira Sachs’ “The Man I Love” being a notable exception. The New York-set film stars Rami Malek and explores the 1980s AIDS crisis. In the Un Certain Regard sidebar, Jane Schoenbrun will present “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” featuring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson in a meta-narrative about making a slasher film.

Several former Palme d’Or winners return to the competition. Romania’s Cristian Mungiu, who claimed the top prize in 2007 with “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” presents “Fjord,” a Norway-set drama starring Oscar nominee Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan. Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda, whose “Shoplifters” won in 2018, enters the sci-fi realm with “Sheep in the Box,” examining grief through the lens of a couple who adopt a humanoid boy.

Specialty distributor Neon has already acquired rights to several competition films including “Fjord,” “Sheep in the Box,” and “All of a Sudden,” positioning the company to potentially extend its remarkable streak of backing six consecutive Palme d’Or winners. Neon’s “It Was Just an Accident” by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi took home the prize last year.

Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, whose previous Cannes entries “Loveless” and “Leviathan” went on to Oscar nominations, returns with “Minotaur.” Other notable competition entries include works from Iran’s Asghar Farhadi (“Parallel Stories”), Belgium’s Lukas Dhont (“Coward”), and Hungary’s Lazlo Nemes (“Moulin”).

Festival artistic director Thierry Fremaux noted that from the 2,541 feature films submitted, approximately 95% of the final selection was announced, with additional titles to be revealed in coming weeks. Festival president Iris Knobloch emphasized the event’s cultural importance, stating, “When the world darkens, we lose our bearings. Showcasing films from all horizons is not a trivial act. It is defending what is most precious to humanity, its ability to dream and think freely.”

While the festival continues its tradition of showcasing premier international cinema, Hollywood’s presence appears diminished compared to recent years. Major studio premieres like “Top Gun: Maverick” or “Mission: Impossible” films that created buzz in previous editions are notably absent.

“The United States will be present, but the studios will be a bit less so,” Fremaux explained. “It’s important to know that when studios are less present at Cannes, it means they are generally less present with the type of cinema that used to allow them to thrive.”

American filmmaking will still be represented through documentaries, with Steven Soderbergh presenting “John Lennon: The Last Interview” and Ron Howard debuting “Avedon,” about the famed photographer Richard Avedon, both in special screenings.

The festival will open with the French film “The Electric Kiss,” set in the 1920s. Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will head the jury that determines the Palme d’Or winner, while honorary Palmes will be presented to cinema legends Barbra Streisand and Peter Jackson.

Cannes follows a successful 2023 edition that launched several Oscar contenders, including best picture nominees “Sentimental Value” and “The Secret Agent,” reinforcing its position as the premier launching pad for the year’s most significant international cinema.