Today marks the opening of the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival: everything you need to know
The Cannes Film Festival 2024 promises to be a rich and diverse experience, blending depth with glamour. The godmother of this edition is actress Camille Cottin, who will also be a key figure in the closing ceremony. While the Italian presence isn’t overwhelming, there’s a strong representative: Paolo Sorrentino, with his film “Parthenope,” competing in the official selection. In the “Un Certain Regard” section, we find Roberto Minervini with “The Damned,” which will be released in Italy on May 16th.
The Cannes Film Festival 2024 Dates:
The Cannes Film Festival 2024 officially begins today, May 14th, and will run until May 25th. The opening ceremony, scheduled for 7:15 p.m., will be preceded by the first red carpet event. In addition to the opening film, “Le Deuxieme Acte” by Quentin Dupieux (out of competition), the first day of Cannes 2024 will also be marked by the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Palme d’Or, which will be awarded to Meryl Streep. It’s worth noting that the actress has previously won the award for Best Actress in 1989 for “A Cry in the Dark.”
The Jury:
The Cannes Film Festival Competition Jury is led by President Greta Gerwig. Other members include Spanish director J. A. Bayona, Turkish actress and screenwriter Ebru Ceylan, Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino, recent Oscar nominee and Native American actress Lily Gladstone, French actress Eva Green, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, and French actor Omar Sy.
The Most Anticipated Films:
- “Parthenope” by Paolo Sorrentino:
Sorrentino’s film, shrouded in secrecy and unveiled through elegant black and white images, teasers, and clips, doesn’t focus on the myth of the siren Partenope as one might expect. Instead, it chronicles the lifelong journey of Parthenope, from 1950 to the present day. It’s a female epic devoid of heroism but driven by an unstoppable passion for freedom, Naples, and the unpredictable facets of love.
The cast includes names like Celeste Dalla Porta (as young Parthenope), Stefania Sandrelli (mature Parthenope), Isabella Ferrari, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, and Luisa Ranieri. The Italian release date remains shrouded in mystery.
- “Furiosa” A Mad Max Saga by George Miller:
A film that captures everyone’s attention is undoubtedly “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the fifth installment of the post-apocalyptic Mad Max saga. This film serves as both a prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road” and an original story centered on the character of the titular Empress.
“Furiosa,” presented out of competition, delves into the backstory of the renegade War Rig Driver, previously portrayed by Charlize Theron and now by Anya Taylor-Joy. The story portrays her as the one who aided Immortan Joe’s Five Wives in their escape and collaborated with Max to rid themselves of the wicked despot. The cast also includes Chris Hemsworth as the villainous Demetrius.
- “Megalopolis” by Francis Ford Coppola:
In competition and scheduled for May 16th, there’s the film that Francis Ford Coppola has dreamed of making for at least 40 years. The director began outlining the screenplay during the filming of Apocalypse Now in 1979 but only took definitive control of the project five years ago, self-financing it. To reach a budget of $120 million, he had to sell a portion of his California vineyard. “Megalopolis” will be distributed in Italy, likely in the next fall, by Eagle Pictures.
- “The Shrouds” by David Cronenberg:
On May 20th, it’s time for “The Shrouds,” David Cronenberg’s new horror film starring Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, and Cécile De France. The plot follows a wealthy businessman who, to cope with his wife’s death, builds a device to connect with the dead. This device also allows for “live” monitoring of their decomposition inside the tombs. “The Shrouds” does not yet have distribution in Italy; it will be released in France on September 25th.
The Honorary Palme d’Or:
George Lucas, the father of Star Wars, will be awarded the prestigious recognition during the Cannes 2024 Closing Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 25th.
Additionally, the festival will pay tribute to another cinema legend: Studio Ghibli, founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, creators of masterpieces like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away.” This will be the first time a Honorary Palme d’Or will be awarded as a collective prize. The ceremony is set for Monday, May 20th at 3:30 p.m. in the Lumière Auditorium.
For Meryl Streep, the appointment with the Honorary Palme d’Or is scheduled for the opening of the Festival.
The Stars on the Red Carpet:
Emma Stone will certainly accompany Yorgos Lanthimos for the new “Kind of Kindness,” a film composed of three episodes in which the actress is expected to play a leading role.
There is also great anticipation for the red carpet of “Furiosa,” with Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, who have been traveling the world for weeks promoting the film. Additionally, Cannes will host Adam Driver, star of “Megalopolis,” and Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander thanks to “Rumours,” a three-handed film directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson.
Returning to the Festival is Kevin Costner, likely alongside Sienna Miller and Jena Malone for “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” from Warner Bros. Another anticipated presence is that of Richard Gere, in the cast of “Oh, Canada” by Paul Schrader, which also includes Jacob Elordi and Uma Thurman. And of course, that of Meryl Streep.
Among the French stars will be Léa Seydoux, Louis Garrel, and Vincent Lindon, stars of the opening film of the Festival, “Le Deuxieme Acte” by Quentin Dupieux. Also expected are Chiara Mastroianni and her mother Catherine Deneuve for “Marcello Mio.” While for Jacques Audiard’s musical “Emilia Perez,” in competition, we expect Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Édgar Ramírez. David Cronenberg, with his “The Shrouds,” will bring Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, and Guy Pearce to the red carpet. In the cast of Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope,” there will be everyone, including Gary Oldman, and the two young stars of Andrea Arnold’s “Bird”: Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski.
The possible appearance of Demi Moore on the red carpet for “The Substance,” a horror body film in Competition directed by Coralie Fargeat, which also includes Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid, cannot be ruled out.
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