May is an exciting time for lovers of cinema, as it marks the launch of the annual Cannes Film Festival, which showcases the best (and sometimes worst) films from around the world. Originating in 1946, the festival is considered by many as the most prestigious of the film festivals. Each year, a major actor/director is selected as the president of the jury and this year’s president was Mad Max director George Miller. So, let’s take a look at the 5 films from this year’s festival:
Opening in Australia on May 26th, The Nice Guys stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe and premiered in Cannes on the 15th May to rave reviews. The film pits Gosling and Crowe together as mismatched private investigators, hired to investigate the suicide of a faded porn star.
Directed by Jodie Foster, Money Monster is a taut thriller set in the world of finance and stars middle-age hunk George Clooney, Julia Roberts and rising star Jack O’Connell. The film revolves around a host of a financial T.V. show who is held hostage by a disgruntled investor who lost his money, following the host’s advice. The film will be released on the 2nd of June in Australia and should be on your list of films to see.
The Cannes Film Festival never feels complete without a new Woody Allen film and so it is with little surprise that his latest film Cafe Society opened the festival. Featuring an all-star cast, including Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carell, Kristen Stewart and Blake Lively, the film was relatively well received by critics. The film is scheduled to arrive in Australia on September 1st.
Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children novel, The BFG is Steven Spielberg’s latest family-adventure starring Academy-Award winner Mark Rylance, Bill Hader and Jermaine Clement. The film proved rather divisive but was unanimously praised for its breathtaking visual effects and moving performances from its cast. Personally, I can’t wait to see this one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1fZg0hhBX8
The latest from Drive and Only God Forgives director, Nicolas Winding Refn, The Neon Demon is a horror/thriller set in the highly competitive fashion industry. The film’s trailer resembles a highly stylised mix of Black Swan and Zoolander, and early word from Cannes is that the film will absolutely divide people, much like Refn’s other work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTk1OdklKCg
Are there any other films from Cannes that you’re looking forward to? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out our reviews of Alice Through the Looking Glass and X-Men: Apocalypse.