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Standing at the edge of spring and looking towards summer, the Mediterranean Sea shines a bright blue. It’s interesting to note that the Cannes International Film Festival first started in 1932, in order to compete with the pre-existing festival in Venice. Perhaps it was a competition between the colors of their canals. There’s no question that Cannes has surpassed Venice, and has become the most renowned film festival in the world, where every filmmaker dreams of walking on its red carpet. The festival has now opened its doors for the 68th time.

 

The Stars of this Year’s Festival: The Jury
The Cannes International Film Festival’s red carpet was bustling with a cheerful and excited crowd at the Palais des Festivals. It’s no surprise to see such a reception at this year’s event considering the list of attending stars. Big names like Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts and Lupita Nyong’o were on the carpet, but the legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve and actress turned director, Natalie Portman, received the loudest cheers for their appearances.

 

In the official competition section, the jury presidents are directors Ethan and Joel Coen. Alongside the brothers, a leading figure of fantasy films, Guillermo del Toro, and last year’s Jury Prize winner Mommy’s Xavier Dolan will also deliberate on this year’s official selection. France’s leading actress Sophie Marceau, actor Jake Gyllenhaal and actress Sienna Miller are also a part of this respected group. And what about Rosie de Palma, who was considered a reincarnation of Picasso’s paintings in Pedro Almodovar’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) and the West African musician Rokia Traoré? Many look on eagerly to see how these unique personalities will work together for this year’s festival.

 

The festival, which runs until May 24th, is most noted for its competition section that races towards the Palme d’Or. Big names like Nanni Moretti, Gus Van Sant, Denis Villeneuve, Jacques Audiard and Matteo Garrone have returned the competition section, making it more enticing. A few other titles have been receiving a lot of attention, including Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, which is to feature strong Scottish accents performed by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Todd Haynes and Cate Blanchett reunite after I’m Not There (2007) in the 1950s queer melodrama, Carol. And we can’t forget the black comedy Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos starring Colin Farrell, about the near future where people turn into animals if they are unable to find partners.

 

There is also some excitement building around new titles from three Asian directors: HOU Hsiao-Hsien, KOREEDA Hirokazu and JIA Zhangke. KOREEDA’s Sea Town Diary quickly filled up its two pre-screening slots on opening day. It’s unfortunate that none of the four Korean films invited to this year’s festival, The Shameless, Office, Madonna and Coin Locker Girl, were able to make it into competition, and that no Korean short films were invited this year.