Cannes: Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Zone of Interest’ Confirmed, Plus Additional Intel

The Cannes lineup is starting to take shape and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s in store.

The game of back-and-forth when it comes to Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” seems to have (almost) come to an end. The film has officially been invited by Cannes and I’m told that A24’s goal is indeed eyeing a premiere on the Croisette. Of course, nothing is set in stone until it’s officially announced. It’ll probably be the only A24 film in competition.

After a rushed post-production process, Cristi Puiu’s “MMXX” is finally ready, but look for it somewhere in the sidebars — potentially in Directors Fortnight (Quinzaine).

Bruno Dumont’s “L’Empire” is also ready, but last we heard it might turn up in the Cannes Premieres section.

Is Maiwenn’s “Jeanne Du Barry” in or out of competition? There are just too many choices for Fremaux this year that I think it’ll not be in competition. And all signs are now pointing towards an OOC slot for Maiwenn’s film.

Fremaux has also won the Marco Bellocchio sweepstakes over Venice. Bellocchio’s “La Conversione” will be in competition at Cannes. Same with Nanni Moretti’s “Il sol dell'avvenire.” That makes it three Italians in competition, the third being Alice Rohrwacher. Matteo Garrone’s “The Captain” is “not ready” — you can read between the lines.

In Gaumont's EFM 2023 catalogue, Abdherrane Sissako’s “The Perfumed Hill” is being listed for 2024. Is it still not ready? Everyone seemed to be in agreement that it would premiere next month, but now I’m having doubts.

The best bets right now for competition are Jonathan Glazer, Wes Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, Alice Rohrwacher, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ken Loach, Hirokazu Kore-eda,
Jessica Hausner, Victor Erice, Alexander Payne, Aki Kaurismaki, Marco Bellocchio, Ben Hania/ Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, Nanni Moretti, Lisandro Alonso, Robin Campillo, Catherine Breillat, Bertrand Bonnello and Justine Triet.

That’s 19 films.

Right now, I’m on the fence about some who are still very much in the conversation: Jeff Nichols, Todd Haynes, Amat Escalante, Michel Franco, Abdherrane Sissako, Joachim Lafosse, Warwick Thornton, Kitty Green, Valerie Donzelli, Léa Domenach, Vanessa Filho and Catherine Corsini.

Probably a few of these will be selected, just not sure which ones.

We’ll see if anything changes with Matteo Garrone, Cristi Puiu, Maiwenn and Bruno Dumont, but I doubt it. Maybe those can be out of competition.

Radu Jude’s “Do Not Expect too Much” and Kiril Serebrenikkov’s “Limonov” seem to also be under the “not ready” category.

There is also that oft-rumored animated film that could pop up in competition. I haven’t been able to confirm or deny the veracity of this rumor, but let’s just say it’s true, what could it be? Maybe Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal’s much-buzzed “They Shot the Piano Player,” which stars Jeff Goldblum.

I’ll have my final predictions up in a few days. The lineup is being announced on Thursday morning and, no, I still haven’t a clue about whether Scorsese is in competition. I sure hope he is.