The Cannes Film Festival is one of if not the biggest and prestigious film festivals in the world. It has been going on for 69 years. The festival is held every May and shows films from several different countries. This year’s Cannes had films from the Philippines, Iran, Romania, Brazil, and more. Like the Academy Awards, there are awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
The biggest prize at the festival is the Palme d’Or, or the Golden Palm. This year’s Palme d’Or winner was "I Daniel Blake," directed by Ken Loach. Coincidentally, Ken Loach won Palme d’Or 10 years ago in 2006 for his Irish war film “The Wind That Shakes the Barley.” Cannes has shown and awarded a lot of great films over the years. Some famous Palme d’Or winners that Americans would know include Martin Scorsese's “Taxi Driver,” David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart,” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” As great as these films can be, not all of them can and will be released in the United States the same year they are released at Cannes.
For three years in a row 2011-2013, the Palme d’Or winners were released in the United States the same year that they were released at Cannes. These films were “The Tree of Life,” “Amour,” and “Blue is the Warmest Color.” For the past few years, however, the movies have been released in the United States one year after they are shown at Cannes. For example, 2015 Palme d’Or winner “Dheepan” was not released in the United States until this past May. This was also the case for a couple of other Cannes 2015 films including “The Lobster,” “Tale of Tales,” and “Our Little Sister.” Interestingly, when I saw “Tale of Tales” at the IFC Center this past May, “Dheepan” was also playing there. This, of course, is not the first time films were not released in the United States until a year after they were shown at Cannes. In fact, The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos did not have his 2009 film “Dogtooth” released in the United States until 2010. Similarly, 2005 Palme d’Or winner “L’Enfant” was not released in the United States until March 24th 2006.
It was probably easier for Scorsese, Lynch, and Tarantino to get their films released in the United States the same year they were shown at Cannes because they are big time American directors, thereby making it much easier to market their films. In spite of having to wait for all of the Cannes movies to be released, here is a list of Cannes movies being released in 2016 I would like to see:
1. “American Honey” (USA/UK):
Written and directed by Andrea Arnold (“Fish Tank”), this film is about a teenage girl who goes on a cross-country road trip with a magazine crew. From the trailer, the shots of the American Midwest are gorgeous. This film will be released in the United States September 30th. An interesting fact is that like her 2009 film “Fish Tank,” “American Honey” also won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
2. “Toni Erdmann” (Germany):
Written and directed by Maren Ade and winner of the FIPRESCI Prize, this film is about a reunion between father and daughter. I love family dramedies, so this should be an interesting story. This film will be released in the United States on Christmas.
3. “Aquarius” (Brazil):
Written and directed by Kleber Mendonca Filho, this film is about an elderly widow refusing to leave her apartment building causing conflicts with other people in the apartment building. Strangely, I actually like films about old age like “Up” and “Nebraska.” They teach us that old people are human beings as well. This film will have a limited release in the United States October 21st.
4. “The Salesman” (Iran):
Written and directed by Asghar Farhadi (“A Separation,” “The Past”), this film won Best Screenplay and Best Actor Shahab Hosseini at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film is about a couple’s relationship shift during a performance of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” I have not read “Death of a Salesman” yet, but I would love to since it is from the author of “The Crucible,” one of my favorite plays. I think I should read “Death of a Salesman” before I see this film. “The Salesman” will have a limited release in the United States December 9th.
5. “The Handmaiden” (South Korea):
From director Park Chan-wook (“Oldboy,” “I’m a Cyborg But That’s OK”), this film is an adaptation of Sarah Waters’ crime novel “Fingersmith.” From watching the trailer, the cinematography and costume design looks beautiful. This film will be released in the United States October 21st.
6. “The Red Turtle” (Netherlands):
Winner of Un-Certain Regard Grand Jury Prize, this animated film is about castaways on an island with crabs and turtles. From the photos I have seen online, the film looks beautiful. This film will be released in the United States January 20th, 2017. Obviously, January 2017 is not 2016, but it is close enough. This is not the only animated film that was shown at Cannes. In fact, Ernest and Celestine won the SACD Prize at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, both Shrek movies were nominated for Palme d’Or.
7. Paterson (USA):
Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch (“Stranger than Paradise”, “Coffee and Cigarettes”), this film is about a bus driver who writes poetry. The description grabs my attention since I like to write. This film stars Adam Driver (HBO’s “Girls,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”). This film will be released in the United States December 28th.
8. Loving (USA):
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” “Midnight Special”), this film is about an interracial couple sent to prison for getting married. I have liked Jeff Nichols’ previous films, so I would like to check this one out. This film stars Joel Edgerton (“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “The Odd Life of Timothy Green”), Ruth Neggia (AMC’s “Preacher”), and Michael Shannon (“99 Homes,” “Take Shelter”). It will be released in the United States on November 4th.
Out of all of the films on this list, I am most interested in seeing “American Honey” and “The Red Turtle.” Overall, all of these films sound compelling, and I cannot wait to see them. I am also excited to see the Cannes films that do not have a release date. Sometimes you have to wait a while for the best movies to come out.
