Cannes festival president Pierre Lescure and artistic director Thierry Fremaux unveiled the official selection of the 2016 edition, which runs May 11-22.
OUT OF COMPETITION
“The BFG” (Steven Spielberg, U.S.). A reunion between former Cannes jury president Spielberg and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’s” (late) screenwriter Melissa Mathison, this all-ages Roald Dahl adaptation represents the biggest film on the Croisette, kicking off an international campaign for Disney’s July 1 release. Mark Rylance plays the eponymous giant, while Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader and Jermaine Clement play more normal-sized characters.
“Goksung” (Na Hong-jin, S. Korea). The gritty Korean genre director has been to Cannes twice before, with “The Chaser” (midnight, 2008) and “The Yellow Sea” (Un Certain Regard, 2011). Set in a remote village set into turmoil by a series of deaths, his ultra-stylish new film is told from the perspective of a police detective who comes to suspect that the crimes have something to do with his own daughter. Sales: Finecut.
“Money Monster” (Jodie Foster, U.S.). George Clooney plays the host of a television financial-advice program taken hostage by an angry viewer (“Unbroken’s” Jack O’Connell), who holds him responsible for a bad stock tip. Julia Roberts also stars as the show’s tough-as-nails producer in a film that brings Foster back to Cannes 30 years after “Taxi Driver” unspooled in competition.
“Nice Guys” (Shane Black, U.S.). Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling co-star in this late-’70s-set L.A. buddy comedy between a pair of not-quite cops, who don’t hesitate to bend the rules while investigating a girl’s disappearance. Black was previously in Cannes with “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which screened out of competition, while Gosling infamously debuted his “Lost River” there two years ago.
UN CERTAIN REGARD
“After the Storm” (Hirokazu Kore-eda, Japan). Fremaux reiterated that Kore-ada’s latest is a smaller film than last year’s “Our Little Sister,” focusing on a washed up writer trying to make amends with his elderly mother and ex-wife in order to reconnect with his young son.
“Apprentice” (Boo Junfeng, Singapore). Six years after his debut, “Sandcastle,” premiered in Critics’ Week, the director delivers this intense prison-set drama, about a young correctional officer who finds himself befriending — and possibly being positioned to replace — the resident executioner.
“Beyond the Mountains and Hills” (Eran Kolirin, Israel). The last time Kolirin screened one of his films in Un Certain Regard — with 2007 crowd-pleaser “The Band’s Visit” — he went home with the FIPRESCI prize.
“Captain Fantastic” (Matt Ross, U.S.). In the lone Sundance premiere to crack official selection, Viggo Mortensen plays an anti-establishment dad who raises his children in an American forest, until his wife’s death forces the family to engage with the capitalist society he abhors.
“Clash” (Mohmaed Diab, Egypt). From the director of “Cairo 678,” this drama takes place entirely inside an overcrowded police truck packed with pro- and anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators after a massive protest following the events of July 3, 2013, as crowds celebrated the ouster of prexy Mohamed Morsi.
“The Dancer” (Stephanie Di Giusto, France). This 19th-century drama — and directorial debut — focuses on the life of American performer Loie Fuller, featuring two rising stars: French musician-turned-thesp Soko, who plays Fuller, and Lily Rose-Depp, who plays Isadora Duncan.
“The Disciple” (Kirill Serebrennikov, Russia). Last seen on the festival circuit in Venice, where his 2012 feature “Betrayal” bowed in competition, the Russian helmer studied physics before turning his attention to drama, dividing his attention between film, TV and theater.
“Dogs” (Bogdan Mirica, Romania). This debut feature concerns a city boy stuck trying to unload a patch of rural land inherited from his late grandfather, only to discover that the old man was once a local crime lord — which severely complicates his intention of selling the property, especially after a severed foot gives the local cop reason to retaliate on the gang.
“The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki” (Juho Kuosmanen, Finland). Set in 1962 Helsinki, this black-and-white, comedy-laced drama follows the rise and fall of Finnish boxer Olli Maki, who fought the match of his life against the American world champion while obsessing about getting back with his girlfriend.
“Harmonium” (Fukada Koji, Japan). The director’s sixth feature follows the owner of a small workshop in a Japanese country village whose tranquil family life is turned upside down after he hires an old acquaintance and takes him under his wing.
“Inversion” (Behnam Behzadi, Iran).
“The Long Night of Francisco Sanctis” (Andrea Testa, Argentina).
“Pericles the Black Man” (Stefano Mordini, Italy). Directed by Stefano Mordini (“Steel”), this noir — adapted from a cult Italian novel by Giuseppe Farrandino — stars Riccardo Scamarcio (“My Brother is an Only Child”) as a slave-like hit man who disengages from the shackles of the mob world after meeting a woman.
“Personal Affairs” (Maha Haj, Israel).
“The Red Turtle” (Michael Dudok de Wit, Netherlands). Studio Ghibli’s first international co-production is a creative collaboration between the Dutch-British director (an Oscar winner for his “Father and Daughter” short) and Isao Takahata. The multi-national film was scripted by “Bird People’s” Pascale Ferran.
“The Stopover” (Delphine Coulin, Muriel Coulin, France) The sophomore feature from the directors of “17 Girls” follows two girls who stop over in Cyprus for three days on their way home from Afghanistan.
“The Transfiguration” (Michael O’Shea, U.S.). Another directorial debut, this one from an American director, the indie film was described by Fremaux as “a New York vampire story.” Larry Fessenden plays the blood-sucker in question.
MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS
“Gimme Danger” (Jim Jarmusch).
“Train to Busan” (Yeon Sang-ho)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
“Le Cancre” (Paul Vecchiali, France).
“Exil” (Rithy Panh, France).
“A Chad Tragedy” (Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Chad).
“The Last Beach” (Thanos Anastopoulos, Davide Del Degan, France).
“Last Days of Louis XIV” (Albert Serra, France).
