A Lot of Big A-List French Directors Aiming For Cannes

Thierry Fremaux will have such a headache this year when deciding which French films to select in competition, to the point where he might even pick as many as five.

Fremaux has lost a lot of great French films these last few years just because of Cannes’ tradition to wait at the very last minute with their French selections.

Last year, Alice Diop’s “Saint Omer” and Rebecca Zlotowski’s “Other People’s Children” chose Venice, even before Cannes announced. The stress of having Fremaux choose the French films a day before announcing the entire lineup was a bit too much for them. It was the right decision, both films did very well in Venice, especially Diop’s.

Meanwhile, I’m being told Ladl Ly’s “Les Indesirables” will be released in November in France.. Maybe in time for Cannes, with a rough cut? The deadline to submit a film is this week. Fremaux would surely extend it for Ly but he already has such a headache with this year’s French entries: Campillo, Dumont, Bonnelo, Breillat, Maiwenn, Triet, Corsini. I wouldn’t be surprised if he chooses five French directors in competition.

We can healthily guess that Robin Campillo’s “Red Island” is all but assured a spot. The director was last at Cannes in 2017 with his prize-winning “BPM,” which turned out to be one of the best-reviewed titles that year.

Or how about Catherine Breillat. Her first film in almost ten years, she was said to be retired, but decided to come back for “Last Summer.” She’s a legendary filmmaker and it’d be strange if she didn’t make Fremaux’s final Cut.

Meanwhile, Maiwenn who is practically guaranteed a competition slot every time she directs a new movie, has “Jeanne De Barry” starring Johnny Depp. Since it’s a Netflix movie, I would imagine that plays out of competition.

Bertrand Bonello wants to go to Cannes with “The Beast”. Ditto Bruno Dumont whose VFX heavy “L’Empire” is still in post-production. I imagine, if ready, both sci-go films will be prime contenders.

Fremaux would likely prioritize Dumont, especially since Venice might not want him again after what he did to them with “France” in 2021. The story goes that “France” was chosen by Venice, the contracts were practically signed and then Fremaux lured Dumont to go to Cannes instead at last minute. Barbera was none-too-happy.

My best guess right now is that we’re looking at Campillo, Dumont, Bonello and Breillat in competition. Although, I’m hearing very good things about Justine Triet’s film. Maybe there will be five, after all. As I said, it’s quite the headache from Fremaux.