Last May, in the midst of a health crisis, Cannes was forced to cancel the holding of its festival.
To show that the most prestigious world film festival has not given up, the organizers of the event are offering an autumn event located in the heart of the city as a symbolic catch-up session.
Even after government announcements last Thursday, this resilient edition stands.
“
We did not ask ourselves the question of the cancellation of this event,
explain the organizers.
Simply, after Jean Castex's announcements following the resumption of the epidemic, we have adapted our projection grids, and brought the sessions forward by one hour, going from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. ”
Thus, on the menu of this edition which runs from Tuesday to Thursday, among the 56 works in the 2020 Official Selection, we find four films from Japan, Georgia and France, presented in preview before their very release. expected in theaters.
To read also: Thierry Frémaux bet that the 2021 Cannes festival will be that of "the reconquest"
The film
Un triomphe
by Emmanuel Courcol with Kad Merad, will launch the edition, which will be held at the Palais des festivals, in the presence of the film crew.
The event will end on Thursday evening with
Les Deux Alfred
by Bruno Podalydès, in the presence of the director and the main actress, Sandrine Kiberlain.
Asa Ga Kuru
(
True Mothers
) by Japanese artist Naomi Kawase, a regular at the festival, and a Georgian debut film by Dea Kulumbegashvili,
Beginning
(
In the beginning
), just crowned in San Sebastián (Spain), will also be screened, respectively Thursday after -midday and Wednesday evening.
To read also: Thierry Frémaux bet that the 2021 Cannes festival will be that of "the reconquest"
Physical distancing and wearing a mask will be compulsory for everyone.
Even if the event is open to the public, the latter will not be able to exceed a certain level.
For example, before the pandemic, the festival attracted 40,000 professionals and around 200,000 spectators each year.
Cannes 2021, the festival of reconquest
The edition which was to be held in the spring had chosen the American Spike Lee as president of the jury.
Americans can no longer travel abroad in the current health context, Spike Lee has therefore agreed to be the president of the jury for the 2021 edition.
As the General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival, Thierry Frémaux, recently stated: "
We expect Cannes 2021 to be a beautiful party, with lots of good films
", he rejoiced in our columns during the Festival Lights from Lyon, hoping "
that we will see a vaccine appear
" against the coronavirus quickly.
“
I hope that Cannes 2021 will be the event of the reconquest, of the beginning of the return to life.
This is what is asked of us, every day, all over the world, in the world of cinema, but not only
”.
The Festival will also award the Palme d'Or for best short film.
In the jury in particular, the director Claire Burger, the actress Céline Sallette or the Franco-Algerian director Rachid Bouchareb.
More than a festival, Cannes is an essential showcase for French and foreign films and a platform for rewards.
While the film industry is in the midst of a slump, many are hoping that this edition will convince producers not to postpone the theatrical release of their films.
