On April 10 in Paris, the organizers introduced the list of films in the Official Selection category competing for the most important Palme d’Or and the Un Certain Regard section. According to Variety, this year’s event promises to be explosive with many American films.
On April 8, the organizers announced that Tom Cruise will return to the program for the 78th time with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, a film that will premiere outside of competition. The work is the eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The film stars Hannah Waddingham, Henry Czerny, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff and Vanessa Kirby. In addition, director Spike Lee will participate with Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington.
Films by Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Ari Aster, Julia Ducournau and Kelly Reichardt will compete for the Palme d’Or this year. Many big names are expected to appear on the red carpet, including Jodie Foster – who stars in Rebecca Zlotowski’s Vie Privée, Josh O’Connor (who appears in two films competing for the prize from Kelly Reichardt and Oliver Hermanus), Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal and Austin Butler – all of whom are starring in Ari Aster’s Eddington.
In the Un Certain Regard section, Scarlett Johansson will debut Eleanor the Great – her directorial debut. Young actor Harris Dickinson will also direct Urchin for the first time.
Cannes Film Festival artistic director Thierry Fremaux said the festival received a record 2,909 entries. Of those, 68% were directed by men and 32% by women. Of the 19 films competing, six are directed by women, including Julia Ducournau, Kelly Reichardt, Hafsia Herzi, Carla Simon, Chie Hayakawa and Mascha Schilinski.
After the press conference, a number of projects will be added to the categories. The films that audiences are looking forward to include Terrence Malick’s The Way of the Wind and Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water.
According to Mr. Fremaux, many of the selected films reflect the violent aspects of life, but at the same time incorporate positive, humane messages. He said: “Cinema is still alive, continuing to inspire intense human desires.”
The 78th Cannes Film Festival takes place from May 13 to 24. At the opening ceremony, actor Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or for his contributions to the film industry. French star Juliette Binoche – who stars in The Pot-au-Feu by director Tran Anh Hung – is the chairwoman of the Palme d’Or jury. French actor Laurent Lafitte will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
The comedy-drama Leave One Day, directed by Amélie Bonnin, opened the event. The project stars singer Juliette Armanet and actor Bastien Bouillon.
Last year, Sean Baker’s Anora won the top prize, the Palme d’Or. At the 97th Academy Awards, the film won five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress.