As you might already know, based on my previous reporting, Werner Herzog’s new film “Bucking Fastard” was going for a Cannes 2026 premiere, aiming for a competition spot, but was denied that. It did come close.
What I suspect happened is that Lukas Dhont, at the eleventh hour, after previously telling Cannes it wouldn’t be ready, submitted “Coward,” which bumped “Bucking Fastard” out of contention. It does sound like Cannes offered Herzog’s film a Cannes Premiere slot, a sidebar whose reputation, although earned or unearned, is that of films who were denied competition.
A spokesperson for the film has now confirmed, via Variety’s Elsa Keslassy, that Cannes had invited “Bucking Fastard” as an official selection, but Herzog declined the invitation. Confusion arose because the film had initially been included in Cannes’ first lineup announcement, in Cannes Premiere, before later disappearing from the schedule.
According to Variety’s sources close to the production, Herzog rejected the invitation because “Bucking Fastard” was not offered a coveted competition slot. Herzog reportedly wanted stars Rooney Mara and Kate Mara to be eligible for acting awards for their performances as twin sisters.
This situation seems to happen every year at Cannes, with one marquee title being denied competition, and most recently mirrors Jim Jarmusch’s decision to skip Cannes last year after his film “Father Mother Sister Brother” was denied a competition berth. Jarmusch later premiered the movie at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion.
“Bucking Fastard” is now most likely headed to the Venice Film Festival in September, where it will compete for the Golden Lion.
“Bucking Fastard” follows sisters Jean and Joan Holbrooke, played by Rooney and Kate Mara, who attempt to dig a tunnel through a mountain range in search of an imaginary land where true love exists. The ensemble cast also includes Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson.
One look at Herzog’s work over the last 20 years, and it’s been mostly documentaries. He released above-average narrative features in 2006 (“Rescue Dawn”) and 2009 (“Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans”), but his last four have been fairly mediocre—and that’s coming from someone who absolutely bows down at the church of Herzog.