A Premiere Magazine preview of potential Cannes titles basically rehashes the recent Le Film Français article, but with some intriguing new details.
Firstly, Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s “On Barren Weeds” is potentially four hours long. Would this be the longest film to ever compete for the Palme d’Or? Steven Soderberg's “Che” was split into two parts in 2008, totalling four hours. Kechiche’s “Mektoub: Canto Duo” was three and a half hours. I’ve loved a few Ceylan films, but, for the love of God, edit it down.
We can add to the never ending French possibilities Robert Guédiguian's “And the Party Goes On”, Vanessa Filho's “Consent” and Léa Domenach's “Bernadette”. The latter seems unlikely, as it has an October release date in France and the director is that well-known. A Quinzaine sidebar appearance is more likely.
Meanwhile, Lady Ly’s “Les Indésirables,” the follow-up to “Les Miserables,” is being touted by many as a potential competition title, but, last I’ve heard, it’s currently still shooting in the suburbs of Paris. The Deadline to submit a film for this year’s Cannes is less than three months away. Good luck.
I’m sure Fremaux is trying extra hard this year to not let a “Saint Omer” of “Happening” slip away from him again. The main French filmmakers that will battle it out for a competition slot are aplenty, Breillat, Bonello, Campillo, Corsini, Dumont, Guédiguian, Ly, Maïwenn and Triet being the big names.
Final note, as tackled earlier in the week, Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” and Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” will likely not appear on the Croisette, a fall launch is to be expected for both.