Woody Allen, Jeff Nichols and Ladj Ly Did Not Submit Their Films For Cannes

There were some notable absences from this morning’s Cannes Film Festival lineup announcement. Thierry Fremaux just shed some light on the status of a few, via ScreenDaily.

Firstly, he hasn’t seen Woody Allen’s “Coup de Chance.” We don’t really know if he’ll get a chance to watch it, but he claims that he’s still screening late submissions up to next week. It’d be a real shame if Allen’s producers decide to pass on Cannes for his 50th, and maybe final, film.

Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders,” which test-screened a few weeks ago, is also not ready according to Fremaux. That makes sense since I had heard absolutely nothing about it being submitted. Ditto Ladj Ly’s “Les Indesirables,” which only wrapped production in February.

I heard Bertrand Bonello’s “The Beast” was not accepted for competition, declined a Cannes Premiere slot and might now be going to the Quinzaine. Michel Gondry’s latest is also being tipped for the Quinzaine.

Cannes also said no to Robin Campillo’s “Red Island,” but we’re not sure where that one ends up — maybe Venice? Campillo’s “BPM” won the Grand Prize at Cannes in 2017, but that clearly wasn’t enough of a reason to include his latest.

We’re still left with a lot of big name auteurs who might sneak into Venice competition like Yorgos Lanthimos, Alexander Payne, Michel Franco, Amat Escalante, Lisandro Alonso, Andrew Haigh, Joachim Lafosse, Mateo Garrone, Cristi Puiu and Kiril Serebrenikkov.

I’m still holding out hope that Payne or Lanthimos are one of the late submissions. Currently, there are 19 films in competition and Fremaux says it could go up to “22-23” by next week.