With one week to go before the press conference unveiling the 77th Cannes Film Festival Official Selection, director Thierry Fremauxis is navigating through submission delays, Hollywood's double strikes, and high expectations following last year's successful edition. The festival is already buzzing with excitement, as George Miller's 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' and Quentin Dupieux's 'A Second Act' starring Léa Seydoux are set to premiere at the event.
Fremaux expressed optimism about this year's lineup, with hopes to welcome back Francis Ford Coppola with 'Megalopolis' and Yorgos Lanthimos with 'Kinds of Kindness.' He also mentioned efforts to bring Netflix back to Cannes and addressed France's #MeToo reckoning, the presence of female directors, and geopolitical influences on the Official Selection.
Regarding the selection process, Fremaux revealed that they are still in the midst of finalizing films, with a significant increase in accreditation requests and over 2,000 submissions received. He emphasized the importance of patience and the impact of Hollywood strikes on the volume of U.S. films submitted.
Fremaux discussed the decision to open the festival with Quentin Dupieux's film, highlighting its appeal to both arthouse and general audiences. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the strikes on the number of big films in the selection but assured that American cinema will still have a strong presence at Cannes this year.
The festival will be presided over by American filmmaker Greta Gerwig, a decision that Fremaux praised for embodying the spirit of Cannes. He expressed his desire to have Francis Ford Coppola present 'Megalopolis' at the festival and welcomed the possibility of Yorgos Lanthimos showcasing 'Kinds of Kindness.'
Fremaux also shared his views on the Oscars and Cannes' rule requiring films to be released in theaters. He expressed hope for Netflix's return to Cannes and mentioned ongoing dialogues with other streaming platforms like Amazon and Apple.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Fremaux emphasized the festival's commitment to cinema and the importance of showcasing diverse films that contribute to the cultural landscape. The selection process, he noted, involves taking risks and ultimately relies on the feedback and reception from critics and audiences to shape the festival's prestige.
