The Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious events in the film industry, is set to showcase an exciting lineup of films competing for the coveted Palme d’Or. From established directors to emerging talents, the 2024 selection promises a diverse array of cinematic experiences. Here’s a glimpse into the 22 films vying for the top prize:
In Competition:
1. Megalopolis (Francis Ford Coppola)
- Synopsis: This self-funded epic, a modern-day Roman drama set in New York, has been a passion project for Coppola spanning over 40 years. Starring Adam Driver, it explores themes of power and ambition.
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
2. The Apprentice (Ali Abbasi)
- Synopsis: A biopic delving into Donald Trump’s formative years, featuring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his lawyer.
- Director: Ali Abbasi
3. Kinds of Kindness (Yorgos Lanthimos)
- Synopsis: Three interconnected short stories, featuring Emma Stone, Willem Defoe, and Margaret Qualley, explore different facets of human nature.
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
4. The Shrouds (David Cronenberg)
- Synopsis: Cronenberg’s latest supernatural drama follows a man’s attempt to connect with his deceased wife, starring Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger.
- Director: David Cronenberg
5. Oh, Canada (Paul Schrader)
- Synopsis: Schrader reunites with Richard Gere in a reflective narrative about a dying man confronting his past mistakes.
- Director: Paul Schrader
6. Emilia Perez (Jacques Audiard)
- Synopsis: A musical journey follows a Mexican cartel boss undergoing a sex change to evade the authorities, featuring Selena Gomez in a supporting role.
- Director: Jacques Audiard
7. The Substance (Coralie Fargeat)
- Synopsis: Demi Moore makes a striking return in this ultra-violent horror film, directed by Coralie Fargeat.
- Director: Coralie Fargeat
8. The Most Precious of Cargoes (Michel Hazanavicius)
- Synopsis: A poignant animated tale explores themes of sacrifice and resilience, centered around a twin escaping from a death train.
- Director: Michel Hazanavicius
9. Limonov (Kirill Serebrennikov)
- Synopsis: Serebrennikov delves into the eccentric life of dissident poet Eduard Limonov, offering a glimpse into post-Cold War Russia.
- Director: Kirill Serebrennikov
10. Parthenope (Paolo Sorrentino)
- Synopsis: Sorrentino’s love letter to Naples unfolds in a mesmerizing tale that captures the essence of the Italian city.
- Director: Paolo Sorrentino
11. Bird (Andrea Arnold)
- Synopsis: Arnold returns with a coming-of-age story set in an English suburb, featuring Barry Keoghan in a mesmerizing performance.
- Director: Andrea Arnold
12. The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Mohammad Rasoulof)
- Synopsis: Rasoulof’s film, shrouded in secrecy, promises a compelling narrative that challenges societal norms.
- Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
13. Anora (Sean Baker)
- Synopsis: Sean Baker crafts a romantic adventure featuring Mikey Madison in a captivating role.
- Director: Sean Baker
14. The Girl with the Needle (Magnus von Horn)
- Synopsis: Von Horn explores the dark tale of a Danish serial killer, offering a chilling portrayal of human nature.
- Director: Magnus von Horn
15. Motel Destino (Karim Ainouz)
- Synopsis: Ainouz’s erotic comedy-thriller takes audiences on a wild ride through passion and intrigue.
- Director: Karim Ainouz
16. Grand Tour (Miguel Gomes)
- Synopsis: Gomes’ narrative follows a British colonial officer in Burma, offering a compelling exploration of identity and escape.
- Director: Miguel Gomes
17. Marcello Mio (Christophe Honore)
- Synopsis: Honore’s film explores the complexities of identity through the lens of a woman impersonating her late father, Marcello Mastroianni.
- Director: Christophe Honore
18. Caught by the Tides (Jia Zhang-Ke)
- Synopsis: Zhang-Ke’s narrative sheds light on unseen aspects of Chinese society, presenting a thought-provoking reflection on contemporary life.
- Director: Jia Zhang-Ke
19. All We Imagine As Light (Payal Kapadia)
- Synopsis: Kapadia’s intimate portrayal of life in Mumbai offers a glimpse into the dreams and struggles of its inhabitants.
- Director: Payal Kapadia
20. Beating Hearts (Gilles Lellouche)
- Synopsis: Lellouche adapts an Irish novel into a captivating narrative featuring Francois Civil and Adele Exarchopoulos.
- Director: Gilles Lellouche
21. Wild Diamond (Agathe Riedinger)
- Synopsis: Riedinger’s debut film follows a young French girl’s quest for fame in the world of reality television.
- Director: Agathe Riedinger
22. Three Kilometres to the End of the World (Emanuel Parvu)
- Synopsis: Parvu’s last-minute entry offers a poignant exploration of identity and acceptance in a Romanian village.
- Director: Emanuel Parvu
Out of Competition:
In addition to the competitive lineup, Cannes will also feature a selection of films in the Out of Competition and Special Screenings sections, including:
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (George Miller)
- Horizon, An American Saga (Kevin Costner)
- Lula (Oliver Stone)
- She’s Got No Name (Peter Ho-Sun)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre de la Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte)
- Rumours (Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson, and Guy Maddin)
- Ernest Cole, Lost and Found (Raoul Peck)
- The Invasion (Sergei Loznitsa)
The Cannes Film Festival promises to be a celebration of cinematic excellence, showcasing a diverse range of storytelling from around the globe. As audiences eagerly anticipate the screenings, the competition for the prestigious Palme d’Or is set to captivate and inspire.