With the Cannes Film Festival underway in just over two weeks, the finishing touches have been put on the lineup, and while some high-profile titles (such as "The Place Beyond the Pines") had been hoped for as late-minute additions, some rather surprising and lower key fare is rounding things out.
Perhaps the biggest eye-opener is the addition of Frank Khalfoun’s 3D remake of the cult serial killer flick "Maniac" starring Elijah Wood. It's a movie we figured would've been unveiled on the genre fest circuit instead, but the addition here indicates it might be a cut above the rest. At the very least, it seems the rumored POV perspective that the filmmaker is using for the movie has impressed the selection committe at the fest, and it certainly makes an obvious choice for the Midnight Screening slate.
Also coming on board in what is a big boost for the filmmaker is the SXSW hit "Gimme the Loot." Directed by Adam Leon, the low-key film chronicles the tale of two graffiti artists from the Bronx (Tashiana Washington and Ty Hickson) who spend the day plotting to tag a famous New York City landmark. The film was a Grand Jury winner in Austin and being added to the Un Certain Regard slate is a huge vote of approval from Cannes.
Also added: "The Sapphires," starring Chris O'Dowd, about the true story of an Aboriginal girl group in the '60s; Bosnian director Aida Begic’s "Djeca"; Gilles Bourdos’ biopic "Renoir"; and György Pálfi’s "Final Cut – Hölgyeim És Uraim," described as a "montage film" intriguingly produced by Bela Tarr.
The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 16-27. [via Screen Daily]
Special Screening
Trashed, dir. Candida Brady (UK)
Midnight Screenings
The Sapphires, dir. Wayne Blair (Australia)
Maniac, dir. Franck Khalfoun (US/France)
Un Certain Regard
Djeca, dir. Aida Begic (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Gimme the Loot, dir. Adam Leon (US)
Renoir, dir. Gilles Bourdos (France) (closing film)
Cannes Classics
Final Cut – Hölgyeim És Uraim, dir. György Pálfi (Hungary)
