In the coming days, the glamor factor on the already picturesque Côte d’Azur will increase even further: the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 14th to 25th and will transform the holiday resort on the French Riviera for twelve days Epicenter of international film celebrities. Thanks to this year’s dominance of US productions in the competition for the Palme d’or (Golden Palm), half of Hollywood will probably come to France. At the expense of German contributions?
The Cannes Film Festival officially starts on May 14th with the opening film “Le deuxième acte” by Quentin Dupieux (50) and with “Bond” star Léa Seydoux (38). However, the comedy is not in the competition for the Palme d’Or, which includes 22 films this year.
A total of twelve French and eight US American productions/co-productions. Among them, for example, Francis Ford Coppola’s (85) mammoth project “Megalopolis”, which alone should ensure enough star power in Cannes: The sci-fi drama brings together, among others, Adam Driver (40), Dustin Hoffman (86) , Laurence Fishburne (62), Jon Voight (85) and Nathalie Emmanuel (35) in front of the camera – and also on the Côte d’Azur?
After the joint Oscar triumph with “Poor Things”, the second collaboration between actress Emma Stone (35) and director Giorgos Lanthimos (50) celebrates its premiere in Cannes in the form of “Kinds of Kindness”. Her “Poor Things” foster father Willem Dafoe (68) also takes part in it, and Jesse Plemons (36) and Margaret Qualley (29) are also there. Qualley even has a second horse in the running for the Palme d’or – the horror film “The Substance”, in which she can be seen alongside Demi Moore (61).
In the film “Bird” by Andrea Arnold (63), “Saltburn” star Barry Keoghan (31) can once again demonstrate his talent, and German actor Franz Rogowski (38) also appears in it. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldana (45) and Selena Gomez (31) are expected in Cannes due to their joint film “Emilia Perez” – as are Richard Gere (74), Jacob Elordi (26) and Uma Thurman (54), who are in Paul Schrader’s ( 77) Play along to “Oh, Canada.”
Speaking of Canada: Canadian director and Cannes regular David Cronenberg (81) is competing in the competition with his “The Shrouds”. Among others on board: Vincent Cassel (57), Diane Kruger (47) and Guy Pearce (56).
A completely German production did not make it into the final selection at Cannes this year. With “Grand Tour” (Portugal) and “Motel Destino” (Brazil), there are only two works in the contract that were co-produced by Germany.
It’s also worth taking a look at the non-competitive films shown again this year. Mainly thanks to the upcoming action blockbuster “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” by George Miller (79), which is premiering in Cannes. In the prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road”, Anya Taylor-Joy (28) and Chris Hemsworth (40) are at each other’s throats with a lot of horsepower.
Also worth a look: The Canadian-German co-production “Rumours”, in which Alicia Vikander (35) and Cate Blanchett (54) play the leading roles. And “Horizon: An American Saga”, the start of Kevin Costner’s (69) multi-part Western series, will also be shown out of competition. In addition to Costner himself, Sienna Miller (42) and Sam Worthington (47) play the main roles.
The list shows: Numerous Hollywood superstars will be heading to Cannes in 2024. However, a few winners have already been decided before the festival begins: “Star Wars” maker George Lucas, who will be 80 years old at the start of the 77th edition on May 14th, will receive the honorary award for his life’s work. The same honor is also given to actress Meryl Streep (74) and the Japanese animation studio Ghibli (including “Princess Mononoke”).
A well-known international jury will once again decide on the awarding of the regular prizes this year. “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig (40) serves as jury president. Her eight jury colleagues include “Killers of the Flower Moon” lead actress Lily Gladstone (37), “Casino Royale” femme fatale Eva Green (43), “Lupin” mime Omar Sy (46) and the Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona (48, “The Snow Company”).