The Cannes Film Festival starts today, with southern France eagerly awaiting the arrival of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Meryl Streep, Demi Moore, and George Lucas who are set to make their long-awaited return to the red carpet.
Over backstage, Greta Gerwig has been appointed as the President of the Jury for this year’s festival. She will oversee the evaluation of 23 films participating in the official competition. Meanwhile Malaysian director—and FirstClasse December 2023 cover star—Amanda Nell Eu, will be honoured with a Women In Motion award.
Here’s everything we know about the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, so far.
Jury Lineup
Since its inception in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has only appointed 14 women as official jury members in its 77 year history. This year, the acclaimed American director, Greta Gerwig, has been named as the President of the Jury.
Gerwig brings with her a wealth of experience in the film industry, having collaborated with her husband, Noah Baumbach, on projects such as Greenberg and Frances Ha. She has also worked alongside Mike Mills on Jackie and Wes Anderson on Isle of Dogs. In 2017, Gerwig directed Lady Bird, which received critical acclaim and earned multiple Oscar nominations. Additionally, her work on Barbie has solidified her position as the first solo director to surpass one billion dollars in global box office revenue and win an Oscar for best-adapted screenplay.
Under Gerwig’s leadership, the jury panel showcases an impressive diversity, including Lupin’s, Omar Sy, Kore-Eda Hirokazu, Pierfrancesco Favino, J.A. Bayona, Lily Gladstone, Eva Green, Lily Gladstone, Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan, and Lebanese director Nadine Labaki. Each of these individuals has made a significant impact on the international film scene, leaving a lasting impression with their remarkable contributions.
The Opening Film
French filmmaker Quentin Dupieux is set to kick off the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 with his latest film, The Second Act, produced by the innovative Hugo Sélignac. Known for his unique approach to dark humour, the director has assembled a remarkable ensemble cast, including talented individuals such as Léa Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel, and the emerging star of French cinema, Raphaël Quenard.
The plot revolves around Florence, who is eager to introduce her love interest, David, to her father, Guillaume. However, David is not interested in Florence and schemes to set her up with his friend Will. The story unfolds in a remote restaurant where the four characters are brought together, leading to a series of unpredictable events. This surreal and captivating one-hour and fifteen-minute film is sure to captivate audiences.
Pride of Malaysia
Amanda Nell Eu is set to receive the prestigious Women In Motion award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This esteemed recognition was personally selected by Swiss director Carmen Jaquier, who herself was a recipient in 2023. Jaquier expressed that Nell Eu’s film evoked joyful and unconventional memories from her own childhood, making it a truly delightful and exceptional cinematic experience.
Tiger Stripes was chosen as Malaysia’s official entry for the 2024 Oscar Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. However, it faced significant censorship hurdles during its local theatrical release.
Calls for Advocacy
The Cannes Film Festival selects a unique case annually to promote awareness and advocate for important causes. In 2024, the festival plans to shed light on urgent social issues by utilising powerful storytelling. Judith Godrèche’s latest short film, focusing on the journeys and resilience of sexual violence survivors, will be at the forefront as a powerful voice to promote awareness and stimulate meaningful conversations.