The world’s most glamorous movie competition kicks off in Cannes on Tuesday, promising one other action-packed fortnight of world premieres, star-studded pink carpets, events and vogue.
AFP seems to be forward at a few of the most hotly anticipated moments and appearances:
The essential competitors
A complete of twenty-two movies are competing for the celebrated Palme d’Or for finest movie which will probably be handed out on May 23.
Arthouse heavy-hitters comparable to Spain’s Pedro Almodovar, Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda or Romania’s Cristian Mungiu will probably be up in opposition to rising expertise comparable to Belgian prodigy Lukas Dhont and France’s Lea Mysius.
There is trade buzz round “Hope” by South Korean director Na Hong-jin, starring real-life companions Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, in addition to AI- and technology-themed “Sheep in the Box” by acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The nine-person jury this yr will probably be headed by South Korean director Park Chan-Wook however may even characteristic US superstar Demi Moore, star of “The Substance”.
Hollywood ghosting
Unlike earlier editions which have featured Tom Cruise productions “Mission: Impossible” or “Top Gun”, no main U.S. studios have chosen Cannes to launch a blockbuster.
Hollywood has historically offered some razzle-dazzle and mass-market leisure alongside the extra edgy, unbiased cinema within the Cannes program.
Reasons for his or her absence embody cost-cutting, their rising choice for tightly managed social media-led launches, and the chance {that a} mauling from the Cannes critics can doom a film.
Travolta
One man not delay by the prospect of scrutiny from a few of the most demanding crowds within the movie trade is film legend John Travolta.
The plane-mad actor will carry some critical stardust when he presents his directorial debut, “Propeller One-Way Night Coach”, a few younger boy’s journey within the “golden age of aviation”.
A-listers
Other A-listers from all over the world will descend on the Cannes pink carpets which will probably be a few of the most celeb-heavy and fashion-rich locations on the planet for the subsequent fortnight.
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver are set to advertise “Paper Tiger”, a thriller by American director James Gray, whereas “Bohemian Rhapsody” star Rami Malek stars in “The Man I Love” by Ira Sachs.
Spanish favourite Javier Bardem, Norwegian star Renate Reinsve, Kristen Stewart and Woody Harrelson are all that includes in movies set to display for the primary time on the French Riviera.
Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett are additionally set to make appearances, whereas Barbra Streisand and “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson will choose up lifetime achievement awards.
A Russian returns
The look by one in every of Russia’s most embellished unbiased administrators, Andrey Zvyagintsev, will probably be celebrated for movie and private causes.
The Oscar-nominated director of “Leviathan” and “Loveless” almost died because of Covid, spending months in hospital, and fled his homeland after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
His first film since 2017 is named “Minotaur” and tackles the massively delicate problem of the Russian bourgeoisie grappling with military conscription firstly of the Ukraine warfare.
Soccer
There will probably be a shocking quantity of soccer on the excessive temple of cinema, together with a British-made documentary “Cantona” about legendary French ahead Eric Cantona.
An Argentine-made movie, “The Match”, casts a highlight on the infamous England-Argentina 1986 World Cup match settled by a objective awarded after a handball by Diego Maradona.
AI-created Lennon
Director Steven Soderbergh will current his documentary “John Lennon: The Last Interview” which options The Beatles songwriter hours earlier than his homicide.
Soderbergh has turned the audio-only recording into a movie, utilizing archival footage as illustration and — very controversially — AI-generated photographs of the late singer.
Best of the remaining
With war-hit Iran within the news, “Rehearsals for a Revolution” by Pegah Ahangarani, a movie about political repression, seems well timed.
After a Nigerian film screened in a hallowed official slot at Cannes for the primary time final yr, twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri will signify Nollywood once more once they present star-packed “Clarissa”.
Picked within the Director’s Fortnight competitors, it options “The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri and “Selma” actor David Oyelowo.
“The Godfather III” and “Ocean’s Eleven” actor Andy Garcia presents “Diamond”, a “passion project” he has been engaged on for 15 years.
The first movie of a big-budget two-part French manufacturing on war-time hero and political colossus Charles de Gaulle will probably be a serious occasion for the host nation.
© 2026 AFP