Big names compete in Cannes

A large number of big names from the world of international cinema are participating in the competition at the Cannes Film Festival this year. In addition to Francis Ford Coppola, David Cronenberg and Jacques Audiard, Paul Schrader, Kirill Serebrennikov, Giorgos Lanthimos and Paolo Sorrentino, among others, entered the main competition, as the director of the world-famous event, Thierry Frémaux, announced in Paris.

The German director is not in the running for the Palme d’Or. But the Germans, Diane Kruger and Franz Rogowski, appear in competitive entries. Rogowski can be seen in the film “Birds” with Andrea Arnold – together with the shooting star Barry Keoghan. Kruger has a role in “The Shrouds” by David Cronenberg.

Hollywood stars such as Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Demi Moore, Uma Thurman, Selena Gomez and Gary Oldman are also involved in the announced films.

There are currently 19 films in the Palme d’Or race. One or two more films may be added. The festival is being held for the 77th time this year and starts from May 14 to 25.

Palme d’Or: Coppola is already a two-time winner

The 85-year-old American Coppola appears with “Megalopolis”. A science fiction film is expected to take place in the near future, where a disaster will hit New York. Hollywood star Adam Driver also plays. Multiple Oscar winner Coppola has already won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for “The Conversation” and “Apocalypse Now”.

Richard Gere and Uma Thurman were in front of the camera together again for the song “Oh Canada” by Paul Schrader. And Jacques Audiard, who is already the winner of the Palme d’Or for “Demons and Miracles,” will show “Emilia Perez.” As Frémaux said, it should be a set of music in a Mexican karate environment. The 71-year-old Audiard brought Hollywood stars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña in front of the camera.

Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov, who lives in exile in Germany, presents the adaptation of “Limonow” by Emmanuel Carrère, a biography of the Russian writer and politician Eduard Limonov. It is the fourth invitation to the main competition after “Leto”, “Petrov’s Flu” and “Tchaikovsky’s Wife”.

Emma Stone, Gary Oldman and Cate Blanchett

With “Types of Kindness” the Greek director Giorgos Lanthimos can hope for a golden trophy. After the successful film “Poor Things”, Emma Stone is back in front of the camera at the age of 50.

Sorrentino will present “Parthenope,” a story about a young, beautiful woman who wants to be recognized for more than her beauty. The film with Gary Oldman takes place in Naples, the birthplace of the 53-year-old man.

In addition to Audiard, the French vying for the trophy this year include Gilles Lellouche with “L’amour ouf” and Christophe Honoré with “Marcello Mio”. Demi Moore, among others, appears in the competition film “The Substance” with Coralie Fargeat.

“Rumors” with Cate Blanchett was also announced. The film by Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson and Guy Maddin is out of competition and tells the story of heads of state who get lost in the jungle at the annual G7 summit.

The opening film has been announced

The organizers had already announced in the past few days that the festival will open with “Le Deuxième Act” (The Second Act) by the French director and musician Quentin Dupieux. Comedies with Léa Seydoux and Vincent Lindon are screened out of competition.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”, the continuation of the cult film series by George Miller and stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke, as well as “Horizon: An American Saga” with Kevin Costner. also out of competition. In addition to Costner, famous western stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington and Jena Malone.

The president of the jury is “Barbie director” Greta Gerwig. The 40-year-old is the first American female director to chair the jury at the film festival and also the youngest jury president since Sophia Loren, who took over as chair in 1966 at the age of 31.