We know of at least one film that will be announced on Monday as an addition for the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire‘s “Black Flies” starring Sean Penn, Katherine Waterston Tye Sheridan, Michael Pitt and … Mike Tyson!
Mel Gibson had been previously attached to The Black List project, based on the novel by Shannon Burke. Sauvaire, who used to make docs, moved to features in the sights with the Cannes-selected “Johnny Mad Dog” and, more notably, “A Prayer Before Dawn.”
This follows the paramedics who save lives and the toll it inflicts. It is said to be an immersive view of life on the streets and one medic’s struggle to maintain his desire to help despite his growing fear that nothing he can do will make a difference. Sheridan and Penn play the paramedics, one a med-school graduate and the other a grizzled veteran and one of New York’s best medics.
And, before you ask, I have no clue if Sauvaire‘s film will be in competition.
Filming on “The Black Files” started in May 2022 in New York City with cinematographer David Ungaro. Penn is a dear friend of Cannes boss Thierry Fremaux, he’s been in competition for his own films many times before.
As for the other four additions being announced on Monday. Your guess is as good as mine. I did hear that Betrand Bonello’s “The Beast” might be added into competition. Maybe we’ll also see Bruno Dumont’s sci-fi film “L’Empire.” One can only hope.
Sadly, I’ve heard nothing about Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” and Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” both were expected to be in the lineup but didn’t show up when it was announced last Thursday. Hopefully, one of them shows up.