Films by Yorgos Lanthimos, Andrea Arnold, and a trump biopic featuring sebastian stan are highlights of the 77th Cannes film festival
The 77th Cannes Film Festival is poised to captivate audiences with an eclectic mix of films, including a controversial biopic of Donald Trump and new works from cinema luminaries like Yorgos Lanthimos and Andrea Arnold. The festival, a cornerstone event in the global film industry, will showcase a diverse lineup that promises to spark discussions and possibly court controversy.
This year’s festival will feature the premiere of “The Apprentice,” a biopic exploring Donald Trump’s early years in the real estate business. Sebastian Stan, known for his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will step into Trump’s shoes, offering a portrayal that spans the ambitious and tumultuous times of Trump in the 1970s and 80s in New York. The film is directed by Sweden-based Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi and aims to provide a nuanced look at the former president’s rise to prominence.
Adding to the festival’s star power, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone will continue their successful creative partnership with “Kinds of Kindness.” This anthology film, featuring Willem Dafoe, arrives fresh off the heels of Lanthimos’s Oscar glory with “Poor Things” and his recent win at the Venice Film Festival. Lanthimos’s films are known for their unique narrative styles and deep philosophical underpinnings, making his latest work a highly anticipated entry in the competition.
British filmmaker Andrea Arnold returns to Cannes with her latest feature, “Bird,” marking her first fiction film in eight years. Arnold, known for her profound and gritty portrayals of British life in films like “Fish Tank” and “American Honey,” will explore new thematic territory with “Bird.” The film tells a coming-of-age story of a young girl seeking to break free from the constraints of her upbringing, featuring rising star Barry Keoghan alongside Nykiya Adams.
Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” a passion project decades in the making, is also set to premiere. The film, inspired by themes from the Roman Empire, has been one of the most talked-about projects in recent years due to its ambitious scope and Coppola’s personal investment in its creation.
The competition will also see entries from other esteemed directors, including Paolo Sorrentino with his film “Parthenope,” set in his native Naples, and Jacques Audiard, who will present “Emilia Perez,” a musical set against the backdrop of Mexican drug cartels.
The jury for this year’s festival will be chaired by Greta Gerwig, notable for her work on “Barbie,” marking her as the first female filmmaker to hold this position since Jane Campion in 2014. The festival’s lineup also includes films out of competition, special screenings, and midnight showings, ensuring a rich palette of cinematic offerings for all attendees.
As Cannes continues to serve as a pivotal platform for filmmakers to debut their latest works, the 2024 edition appears ready to uphold its legacy of showcasing global cinematic artistry at its finest.
