Cannes Wanted ‘Poor Things’

One of the biggest omissions from this coming edition of the Cannes Film Festival was Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.”

It was predicted by many pundits to premiere on the Croisette this summer, but was ominously absent when the lineup got announced.

It turns out that Cannes boss Thierry Fremaux very much wanted it to be part of this year’s edition but that he wasn’t able to nab it due to “timing”.

“I would have dreamed of being able to present ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Poor Things,’ or ‘Barbie,’” he said, citing the latest anticipated works from Christopher Nolan, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Greta Gerwig. “That was not possible due to timing issues. They are three immense filmmakers. American cinema is so rich that the suitors are numerous.”

Searchlight released the teaser for “Poor Things” last week and it certainly divided film fans. It was not the look and feel some expected — I loved what I saw, the visuals were Gilliam-esque, the humor was dark. Regardless, this led some to theorize that maybe the film got rejected by Cannes.

I believe those rumors can be put to rest after Fremaux’s comments. He wanted it to be there. “Poor Things” isn’t the only film that was supposed to be Cannes-bound, but didn’t show up in the final lineup. Other absentees included …

Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Michel Franco’s “Memory,” Bruno Dumont’s “L’Empire,” Mateo Garrone’s “The Captain,” Cristi Puiu’s “MMXX,” Bertrand Bonnello’s “The Beast,” Kiril Serebrenikkov’s “Limonov,” Kitty Green’s “The Royal Hotel,” Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw,” Woody Allen’s “Coup de Chance,” Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders,” and Radu Jude’s “Do Not Expect too Much of the End.”

Many of these are now expected to go to Venice.