Anurag Kashyap, Martin Scorcese and the coolest projects to watch out for at Cannes 2023
The Cannes Film Festival, held annually in the picturesque coastal town of Cannes, France, has become one of the most important and influential film festivals in the world. The festival is renowned for its exclusive atmosphere, which attracts the biggest names in the film industry, as well as its high standards of artistic excellence. Here's a look at all the films and filmmakers to watch out for at Cannes 2023.
The festival has two main sections for showcasing films: the In Competition section and the Un Certain Regard section. While both sections feature a diverse range of films from around the world, there are a few key differences between the two.
In Competition
The In Competition section is the main competition of the festival, and it features films that are considered to be among the best works of the year. The films in this section compete for the coveted Palme d'Or award, which is presented to the film that is judged to be the best overall. This section typically features films from well-known and established directors, as well as films that are expected to be major contenders for awards and critical acclaim. In terms of selection criteria, the films in the In Competition section are typically selected based on their artistic merit, technical proficiency, and overall impact.
Here's are some of the films featuring In Competition this year to watch out for:
ASTEROID CITY
Wes Anderson returns to Cannes with Asteroid City, that centres around the events at an annual Junior Stargazer convention that brings together students and parents from across the country for a week-long journey in a fictional American desert town and promises to showcase a large ensemble cast featuring Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton to name a few.
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
British auteur Jonathan Glazer, best known for 2013's sci-fi horror, Under The Skin, is set to premiere The Zone of Interest, that follows a Nazi officer who falls in love with the woman of the commander of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
MONSTER
Palme d'or and Jury Prize winner, Hirokazu Kore-eda is back at Cannes once more after last year's Broker, with his latest Monster, with plot details still fairly under wraps.
THE OLD OAKÂ
Two-time Palme d'Or winner Ken Loach is back at the festival for a chance to win his third with his next feature, The Old Oak, that follows the future for the last remaining pub, The Old Oak in a village of the Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed. Houses are cheap and available thus making it an ideal location for Syrian refugees.
MAY/DECEMBER
Cannes frequenter Todd Haynes's next film starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore follows a married couple with a large age disparity buckles under the pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their controversial past.
Un Certain Regard
The Un Certain Regard section is designed to showcase films that are more experimental, unconventional, or challenging than those in the In Competition section. This section often features films from emerging directors or lesser-known filmmakers, as well as films that explore unconventional themes or narrative structures. The films in the Un Certain Regard section are selected based on their ability to challenge and push the boundaries of conventional filmmaking.Â
While the films in this section are not eligible for the Palme d'Or, they can still receive other awards, such as the Un Certain Regard prize. This section is often seen as a platform for discovering new voices in cinema, and many of the films that premiere in this section go on to achieve critical acclaim and success on the festival circuit.
Here's are all the films featuring in Un Certain Regard this year:
- LE RĂGNE ANIMAL by Thomas CAILLEY
- LOS DELINCUENTES by Rodrigo MORENO
- HOW TO HAVE SEX by Molly MANNING WALKER
- GOODBYE JULIA by Mohamed KORDOFANI
- KADIB ABYAD by Asmae EL MOUDIR
- SIMPLE COMME SYLVAIN by Monia CHOKRI
- CROWRà by João SALAVIZA, Renée NADER MESSORA
- LOS COLONOS by Felipe GĂLVEZ
- OMEN by Baloji TSHIANI
- THE BREAKING ICE by Anthony CHEN
- ROSALIE by Stéphanie DI GIUSTO
- THE NEW BOY by Warwick THORNTON
- IF ONLY I COULD HIBERNATE by Zoljargal PUREVDASH
- HOPELESS by KIM Chang-hoon
- TERRESTRIAL VERSES by Ali ASGARI, Alireza KHATAMI
- RIEN Ă PERDRE by Delphine DELOGET
- LES MEUTES by Kamal LAZRAQ
In addition to the In Competition and Un Certain Regard sections, the Cannes Film Festival also features several other sections for showcasing films. While these sections may not have the same level of competition as the In Competition or Un Certain Regard sections, they still provide an important platform for showcasing a diverse range of films and promoting emerging talent.
Out of Competition
The Out of Competition section is designed to showcase films that are not eligible for the Palme d'Or but are still highly anticipated or have significant cultural or historical value. This section often features films from well-known and established directors, as well as special presentations of classic films or restored prints. Films in this section may also be presented as special galas or events, with red carpet premieres and high-profile screenings.
Here's are some of the films featuring Out of Competition this year to watch out for:
JEANNE DU BARRY
Acclaimed French actress and director Maiwenn will open the film festival with her latest feature Jeanne Du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, and will follow the story of  Jeanne Bécu who was born as the illegitimate daughter of an impoverished seamstress in 1743 and went on to rise through the Court of Louis XV to become his last official mistress.
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY
28 years after his first film premiered at Cannes, director James Mangold returns with the final chapter in Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones franchise. The festival will also pay special tribute to Ford and his career.
THE IDOL
The highly anticipated HBO series, The Idol, co-created by The Weeknd and Euphoria's Sam Levinson, and starring Lily-Rose Depp, has been selected as one of four Out of Competition Selections by the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The series follows Depp's character, Jocelyn, an aspiring pop star on a mission to establish herself as the "greatest and sexiest pop star in America".
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Apple TV's Killers of the Flower Moon marks industry stalwart, Martin Scorsese's first film featuring Out of Competition at Cannes in almost 40 years. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and more, the film is set in 1920s Oklahoma and depicts the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the âReign of Terrorâ.
Midnight Screenings
The Midnight Screenings section is designed to showcase films that are typically more genre-focused or experimental in nature, often exploring horror, science fiction, or other unconventional themes. This section is known for showcasing films that push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking, and often attracts a younger and more alternative audience.
India's Anurag Kashyap is all set to grace Cannes for the fourth time with his latest film, Kennedy, starring Sunny Leone, as one of this year's Midnight Screenings at Cannes.
Festival Director, Thierry Frémaux, said the Official Selection is not locked, with more films expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will run May 16-27, 2023.Â