At the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival, taking place between May 14 and 25 in the cinematic French Riviera, the trailblazing Saint Laurent Productions raises the curtain on three stirring feature films that have been placed in competition within the 2024 Official Selection category.
Helmed by Yves Saint Laurent Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, the fashion house’s production division is the first of its kind, invoking Vaccarello’s ever-evolving imagination and the vivacity of his singular collections.
Films Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard, The Shrouds by David Cronenberg, and Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino radiate with Vacarrello as intuitive costume artistic director, as well as dramatically unfold as revelatory works featuring glittering casts by the master filmmakers of our time.
Jacques Audiard’s Directorial Masterpiece Emilia Perez Debuts in Cannes
Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Perez,” film; courtesy of Saint Laurent Productions.
Starring Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Edgar Ramirez, and Adriana Paz, Audiard’s directorial masterpiece Emilia Perez debuts on May 18.
The riveting project fuses the creative prowess of composers Clément Ducol and Camille, choreographer Damien Jalet, artistic director and costume designer Virginie Montel, cinematographer Paul Guilhaume, along with production designer Emmanuelle Duplay and editor Juliette Welfling.
The film centers on the compelling character of Rita, an attorney at a major law firm who is more than qualified yet egregiously overlooked. While the firm is intent on simply clearing criminals of their wrongdoings, Rita makes the acquaintance of intriguing cartel boss Manitas, who employs her to facilitate his exit from the criminal world in order to transition into the woman he is meant to be.
Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt Star in The Shrouds by David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg, “The Shrouds,” film; courtesy of Saint Laurent Productions.
Meticulously directed by the skillful Cronenberg, The Shrouds will be shown on May 20, bringing together an effervescent cast of icons including Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt.
With the collective efforts of director of photography Douglas Koch CSC, production designer Carol Spier, editor Christopher Donaldson, costume designer Anne Dixon, and music by Howard Shore, the haunting tale of distinguished, middle-aged businessman Karsh is revealed.
Heartbroken with the passing of his wife, he develops a radical and contentious technological innovation which allows grieving loved ones to watch over the deceased in their resting places. When a cemetery sacrilege takes place one evening, our protagonist vows to hunt them down and seek justice.
Sorrentino Unveils Parthenope, a Feminine Voyage of Love, Loss, and Liberation
Paolo Sorrentino, “Parthenope,” film; courtesy of Saint Laurent Productions.
The legendary Sorrentino unveils Parthenope at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, dazzling audiences with the vivacious cast of Dario Aita, Celeste Dalla Porta, Silvia Degrandi, Isabella Ferrari, Lorenzo Gleijeses, Biagio Izzo, Marlon Joubert, Peppe Lanzetta, Nello Mascia, Gary Oldman, Silvio Orlando, Luisa Ranieri, Daniele Rienzo, Stefania Sandrelli, and Alfonso Santagata.
Cinematographer Daria D’Antonio, costume designer Carlo Poggioli, editor Cristiano Travaglioli, and production designer Carmine Guarino uplift the magnificent and feminine voyage of Parthenope. Commencing with her birth in 1950, the saga speaks to personal liberation and illuminates the enigmatic city of Naples.
The joys of love and youth in Capri during an ebullient summer take a dark turn during a sweeping ambush, and all Neoplitans are affected—mind, body, and soul. Here, the rollercoaster of life unfurls, as Naples continues to wound and beguile through the ages.
What is the Cannes Film Festival?
Carried by its 76 editions, the international Festival de Cannes is one of the world’s most widely publicized events and certainly the most important film festival in terms of worldwide impact. Through the works, artists and themes it platforms on the world stage over the course of its 15-day line-up, the event is forever engaged in a process of self-renewal. We put ten questions to Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate since 2007, on what the Festival de Cannes means today.
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE FESTIVAL DE CANNES? In order to achieve this level of longevity, the Festival de Cannes has remained faithful to its founding purpose: to draw attention to and raise the profile of films, with the aim of contributing towards the development of cinema, boosting the film industry worldwide and celebrating cinema at an international level. And to this day, this profession of faith constitutes the first article of the Festival regulations. It is a Cannes tradition to raise a glass to household names and usher emerging directors into the international film scene’s spotlight. That’s what makes Cannes, Cannes. We always painstakingly curate our offering to ensure we showcase hidden gems alongside more mainstream films.
WHAT IS THE “OFFICIAL SELECTION”? The Official Selection serves to highlight the diversity of cinematic creation through its different sections, each of which has its own distinct identity. The films are screened in world preview showings, meaning it’s often the first time they come under the watchful gaze of a demanding audience made up of professionals and film lovers.
Some sections culminate in awards, such as the Competition where incredibly high-level “mainstream art film” works are presented, Un Certain Regard, which recently shifted its focus to return to more experimental up-and-coming arthouse directors, and CINEF film school graduate offerings. But the Official Selection also centres on Out of Competition, Special Screenings, Midnight Screenings, and Cannes Première films, as well as heritage works screened as part of Cannes Classics and the Cinéma de la Plage. The important thing is that this Selection is both balanced and representative of cinematography at the time in terms of creativity and geography. — Source
