As we head into the summer blockbuster season, we get inundated with franchises, the latest Marvel and ‘Fast’ movies, tentpoles, and mega films of all sorts. But thankfully, before it really starts in earnest, and we’re on to the third major superhero film of the year, we get some alternative options at the Cannes Film Festival. Or at least the lucky few of us who get to attend do, and the rest of us get to highly anticipate their regular theatrical (or streaming) release.
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The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is especially tantalizing and there’s more than just indies and dramas. Cannes has a vast array of options for audiences to enjoy. Want a new period piece? There’s “Jeanne du Barry” (with Johnny Depp of all people) or “Firebrand.” Want a big-budget blockbuster? How does “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” or Robert Rodriguez’s “Hypnotic” sound? Want a film from an iconic director, an indie, a star-studded cast, or a directorial debut? We’ve got those too. But in true Cannes fashion, the only question is which film is going to get the longest standing ovation.
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
From Martin Scorsese and Apple Studios comes an adaptation of David Grann’s 2017 non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. Set in Oklahoma in the 1920s ‘Flower Moon’ tells the story of serial murders of members of the Osage Nation– crimes that became known as the Reign of Terror. Starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, are Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, Lily Gladstone, and Brendan Fraser. Eric Roth co-wrote the adaptation.
“The Zone of Interest”
Jonathan Glazer’s first feature film in a decade, ‘Zone’ was reportedly shot in Auschwitz and is a period piece that tells the story of a couple, a Nazi officer falls in love with the woman of the commander of the Auschwitz concentration camp (but to be fair almost no details of the film have been confirmed so far). An A24 film, ‘Zone’ stars Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel, Max Beck, Ralph Herforth, Stephanie Petrowitz, and Sascha Maaz.
“Asteroid City”
Wes Anderson’s latest will premiere at Cannes before a wider release this summer. The star-studded film is set at a Junior Stargazer convention when it is disrupted by world-changing events. The film stars Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Steve Carrel, and Margot Robbie, among many, many others. “Asteroid City” was co-written by Roman Coppola.
“The Idol”
Pop star Jocelyn’s (Lily-Rose Depp) last tour was derailed after a nervous breakdown. But her drive to be the sexiest star alive leads her to a man (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye) a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Also included are Troye Sivan and Blackpink’s Jennie Ruby Jane, plus Dan Levy, Suzanna Son, and Nico Hiraga. “The Idol” was created by “Euphoria” filmmaker Sam Levinson and The Weeknd.
“Occupied City”
Informed by Bianca Stigter’s book “Atlas of an Occupied City, Amsterdam 1940-1945” (McQueen’s wife), Steve McQueen’s four-hour doc looks at Amsterdam during World War II. The Netherlands had the highest number of people hiding from occupied forces; this film focuses on that as it shows audiences a duality between the Nazi occupation and the covid pandemic.
