Love film? Us too. We’ve been scouring coverage from the 77th Cannes Film Festival to discover the best films about to hit the big screens. Here’s what to watch out for.
The annual Festival de Cannes is one of the biggest and most important film festivals in the world. It celebrates cinematic creation and raises the profile of new films across all genres. A number of awards are given out, the most prestigious of which is the Palme d’Or (for best film).
The event has just kicked off and will run through to 25 May. Here are some of the most talked-about films so far…
Megalopolis
Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver as Cesar, is a Roman epic set in a futuristic New York. The city of New Rome is close to bankruptcy under an arch-conservative mayor (Cicero) and must change. Cesar discovers a strange substance called ‘Megalon’ and wants to use it to build a new city and an ideal utopian future. Cicero’s daughter, Julia, falls in love with Cesar and becomes torn between the two men. Check out the official trailer.
The Substance
Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley star in The Substance, a body horror about a middle-aged woman pining for her youthful looks. The ‘Substance’ is a new product that can generate another younger, more beautiful ‘you’. Who wouldn’t want the chance to live a younger, fantasy version of themselves? Director Coralie Fargeat is known for making violent films filled with blood and gore – so expect things to turn sinister. Here’s a sneak peek.
The Apprentice
Whether you’re a fan of former president Donald Trump or not, there’s no denying that he’s led an interesting life as America’s most famous and larger-than-life billionaire. From filmmaker Ali Abbasi, The Apprentice is a biographical drama that charts Trump’s rise to power in 1980s New York, tackling themes of corruption and deception. Sebastian Stan stars as Trump. Here’s a first look.
The Surfer
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer is an Australian psychological thriller. It follows the story of a man (played by the one and only Nicholas Cage) who returns to his childhood beach to surf with his teenage son, only to end up being humiliated by a group of locals. It all starts with the man wanting his surfboard back – the conflict escalates until he is pushed to breaking point. Enjoy this preview.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
A new entry in the Mad Max Saga from mastermind George Miller could already be enough to add this film to your watchlist. But if not, the fact that it features one of the longest action sequences ever might sway you. A young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) is taken by a biker horde led by warlord Dementus. As they ride across the Wasteland, they enter the Citadel governed by the Immortan Joe. The two fight for dominance, with Furiosa fighting to get home. Watch the trailer.
You can view the complete selection of films competing at Cannes 2024 here. And if you liked this roundup, browse our Journal for more articles about cultural events like this.
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