When Spring is in the air, it only means one thing to film lovers and cinephiles everywhere: Cannes is just around the corner.
The uber-popular and acclaimed film festival that debuted films such as Parasite, Titane and Anatomy of a Fall is among one of the most revered institutions in the film world. Presenting a wide array of genres, nationalities, runtimes, and budgets, Cannes is one of the film festivals that truly celebrates the best of the best, and can serve as a major career launching pad.
Cannes has always selected films that are jaw-dropping, thought-provoking, and keep you buzzing about the film long after the festival has concluded. It’s produced a noticeable amount of Best Picture nominees, like Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest.
So like every American who cannot make the trip to France next month, I’ll be looking forward to several films debuting in theatres or at home over the next few months. But there are a few specific films I’ll be keeping an eye on during the festival. Here are my top five most anticipated films at Cannes:
Megalopolis, dir. Francis Ford Coppola
Megalopolis has been my most anticipated film of the last four years, so naturally, it is number one on my list of Cannes watches.
Coppola has been one of my favorite directors for years, ever since I saw The Outsiders in my middle school gymnasium, a landmark coming-of-age moment for almost every seventh grader in the American public school system. But it’s his films that go deep into world-building and truly push the limits of what’s achievable on film, like his 1979 war epic Apocalypse Now, that have stuck with me and kept me coming back for more.
I am so excited to see this after years of waiting and countless reports of how expensive it is. There should be no budget restrictions on the master himself.
Kinds of Kindness, dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
After the period dramedy The Favorite and the surreal, sensual Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos is back with a film set in the modern day, Kinds of Kindness.
Described as three separate stories that intertwine and revolve around one another, I am so excited to see the weird, surreal, strangely comedic touch that Lanthimos has become known for. I’m also excited to see Emma Stone’s performance, coming off of a Best Actress win for Poor Things. Stone’s performances are on another level under Lanthimos, and we’ll be in for a treat.
Oh, Canada, dir. Paul Schrader
Featuring a stacked cast of Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, Uma Thurman and Michael Imperioli, Oh, Canada is about a writer on the brink of death who escapes to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft.
I’m mostly excited about this one for Elordi, who’s been turning in incredible performances across the board as he breaks free of teenage stories like The Kissing Booth and Euphoria. He’s been playing his cards right, and picking a project by one of the greatest writers, Elordi is sure to be elevated by a phenomenal cast and a gripping story.
The Substance, dir. Coralie Fargeat
Described as a “female-driven body horror” film with Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore?
I’m in.
Not much else is known about this entry, but given the past body horror films I’ve seen out of Cannes (ie. Titane), I’ll be sure to give this one a watch once it hits theatres in the US. I’m all for supporting female-directed horror movies, and I’ve been loving watching Margaret Qualley’s career rise over the past few years.
The Balconettes, dir. Noemie Merlant
Described as a comedy-horror film about three roommates whose summer days spent trapped in a heat wave descend into a bloodbath, the script was helmed by Merlant and Celine Sciamma, who wrote the acclaimed Portrait of a Lady on Fire (of which Merlant also starred in).
This sounds like Girls meets The Purge meets Dog Day Afternoon set in France, and rest assured, I will be in the theatres the day this releases. It sounds like a fun, wild ride that will surely be an emotional rollercoaster.
List Courtesy of Gabriella Madden