In Cannes, people are currently beaming with the sun. No wonder, following reduced spending due to the pandemic, the film festival is back in full force for its 75th anniversary and with a large line-up of stars. With the zombie comedy “Coupez!” by the French director Michel Hazanavicius (54) the prelude is celebrated. Until May 28, 21 films will compete for the coveted palm trees, including new works by greats such as David Cronenberg or Jean Pierre (70) and Luc Dardenne (68). The “Top Gun” installation in front of the Grand Hôtel cannot be overlooked. The huge aviator helmet points to one of the most awaited demonstrations of the festival: Wednesday evening “Top Gun: Maverick” with Tom Cruise (59) will be presented – the continuation of the cult strip from 1986. The Oscar winner has also already arrived Forest Whitaker (60). This year he received the Golden Palm of Honor and presented the film “For the Sake of Peace”, which he produced. It is regarding people working for peace in South Sudan.
Oscar winner Forest Whitaker rang in the celebrity round on the Côte d’Azur on Tuesday. He presented the film he produced “For the Sake of Peace” regarding the political situation in South Sudan – and thus put a serious topic up for discussion. Political tones were also struck in the press conference at the opening.
The lack of female directors at the film festival has repeatedly been criticized in the past. When asked regarding this, the British director and actress said on Tuesday Rebecca Hall – part of the Cannes jury this year – she still does not see equality between the sexes and minorities in the film industry. “I think we’ve made progress,” said the 40-year-old. “But it’s not done yet.” She believes that creating equality is “an ongoing process” – at the Cannes Film Festival, but also in the scene as a whole.
Hall is one of nine jury members who decide on the awarding of the Palme d’Or, the main prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Also the American director and screenwriter Jeff Nichols belongs to it. He said he expected issues such as minority perspectives to play a role in the jury’s discussions.
One way to increase diversity is to look at films with relevant themes and then raise funds for them, Whitaker said. He received the Golden Palm of Honor at this year’s film festival. His film For the Sake of Peace, shown in Cannes on Tuesday, follows two people fighting for peace in South Sudan. “South Sudan is the youngest country in the world at war with itself, with more than 350,000 people killed since its inception in 2011,” reads the film’s description. Violence rages in the country, often between different ethnic groups, often resulting in deadly attacks. One of the film’s main characters is a young woman trying to bring peace to two warring groups.
On Friday Marie Kreutzer’s Sisi drama “Corsage” celebrates its world premiere in the renowned series “Un certain regard”. No Austrian film is represented in the international competition this year. A jury, this year the French actor, will decide on the palm award in the coming week Vincent Lindon presides. At his side are the Swedish Mimin Noomi Rapace or the Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier.
