Jury President Steven Spielberg is going to announce the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival awardees today Sunday. One day before the awarding ceremony, the Palm d’Or was still very much in the open. After twelve days, no one can say for sure they will be bringing home the Best Picture trophy just yet. Here are some of the major contenders for the highly coveted Palme d’Or.
Sonan Kapoor Graces the Red Carpet
The short list
“Only Lovers Left Alive” is the story of Adam and Eve, vampires played by Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. The two ageless creatures share a deep and pure love while living apart, and they love rock n’roll as well. And they don’t victimize humans, fearing all sorts of contagion. This drama-comedy is an offering of American filmmaker Jim Jarmusch.
James Gray’s “The Immigrant” is set in New York City in 1921. The protagonist, Ewa is played by Oscar Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard. Oscar nominees Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner play supporting roles. “The Immigrant” is the story of the life of degradation of a Polish woman living in the tenements in the Jazz Age.
“A Touch of Sin” is 2006 Venice Film Festival winner Jia Zhangke’s entry to the 2013 Cannes. This four-part film is Zhangke’s take on true-to-life cases of suicide and murder in China. Violence begets violence as knives, hatchets and ill-intentions are brandished seemingly without end in an epic dramatization of published events.
“Manuscripts Don’t Burn” was filmed in secret in Iran. In 2010 two Iranian directors were convicted of “making propaganda against the regime.” Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof were forbidden to make any more movies. Panahi responded to this by making home movies using his iPhone and calling it “This is Not a Film.” It was featured in Cannes in 2011. Mohammad Rasoulof made his own movie and called it “Manuscripts Don’t Burn.” Rasoulof insists that the film is not a documentary but a work of fiction inspired by true events.
“Like Father, Like Son” is a movie about a young Japanese boy and his father who had not time to play with him. It turns out after much fuss that Keita, the boy has been switched with another baby at the hospital where he was born. Hirokazu Koreeda wrote and directed the film.
Other landmark films
“La Vie d’Adele” or “Blue is the Warmest Colour” is a film about a lesbian relationship from French director Abdellatif Kechiche. The Coen Brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis” is about the struggles of a folk singer from New York. “The Great Beauty” or” La Grande Bellezza” is from Italy. Director Paolo Sorrentino is a “magical ode to Rome.” And the breakthrough film by Asghar Farhadi, “The Past” or “La Passe” from Iran is a close look at domestic Iranian society.
Favorite Actors and Actresses
Despite the lack of a clear Palm D’Or winner, Michael Douglas’ portrayal of Liberace in “Behind the Candelabra” by Steven Soderbergh is a solid favorite. Adèle Exarchopoulos of “Blue is the Warmest Colour” is also a top contender for the Best Actress Award.
Photo Credits:
Sonan Kapoor Graces the Red Carpet
Palm d’Or
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