The Cannes Film Festival: Unrivaled in Every Aspect

The greatest allure of Cannes, arguably, lies in its picturesque location and the timing of its festival. During the event, the charmingly intimate luxury resort town on the Côte d'Azur (imagine Nice as Atami and Cannes as Hayama) is completely immersed in the festival, drawing A-list stars, directors, journalists, and film industry professionals from around the globe.

Another festival highlight is the sight of arriving major stars being bathed in a flood of flashes on the red carpet, with crowds of tourists and film fans gathering around the main venue.


The high caliber of the films screened is also well-known. Among the three major film festivals (Berlin, Cannes, Venice), Cannes stands out for its exceptional quality; being selected for the Cannes competition lends prestige to a film, even if it doesn't win an award.

This year marked the 70th anniversary, with numerous commemorative events. A particularly impressive moment was the group photo of filmmakers with ties to Cannes, including past Palme d'Or winners, gathering together. Simply seeing their faces underscored the festival's distinguished status.

Despite Many High-Caliber Films, Opinions Were Divided

The main competition jury, tasked with selecting from 19 entries (the inclusion of two original films from the streaming service "Netflix" sparked controversy), was headed by Spanish master Pedro Almodóvar and comprised nine members in total. Among the selected films were works by directors who had previously won major awards or were festival regulars. However, the top prize, the Palme d'Or, and the runner-up Grand Prix, were awarded to first-time Cannes competitors.

The award results are on the next page, but first, let's introduce two films that left a strong impression, despite not winning awards!

Okja
This is a grand entertainment epic that vividly portrays a simple girl who, after raising a mysterious giant creature named "Okja" for ten years in a secluded mountain area of Korea, travels to the bustling metropolis of New York to confront the conspiracy of the multinational corporation Mirando Corp., with the involvement of a unique animal rights group.


The film garnered attention for its grand scale, funded by Netflix's substantial resources, its cutting-edge VFX, and its cast of major stars including Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal. However, what was most impressive was the unique design of Okja, resembling a cross between an elephant and a wild boar, with its endearing, large, round eyes that completely captivated me.

I was astonished by director Bong Joon-ho's formidable talent in crafting such an original story filled with love and humor, and I sighed at the absence of Japanese directors who could match such creativity.

Jupiter's Moon
This is an unconventional sci-fi fantasy by Hungarian auteur Kornél Mundruczó, marking his debut in the competition. It depicts the serious issue of refugees: a young refugee attempting to cross the border illegally is shot and wounded by police. However, due to the shock, he gains the ability to float and drift through the air...


I was stunned by the astonishing "floating sequences." Unlike the dynamic flight of superhero movies or the weightlessness of space travel, the visual magic completely held my gaze.

Page 2Award Winners

Feature | Looking Back at the 70th Cannes Film Festival

2017 Film Festival Report (2)

[Award Results]
Palme d'Or
The Square | Directed by Ruben Östlund
70th Anniversary Honorary Award
Nicole Kidman
Grand Prix
BPM (Beats per Minute) | Directed by Robin Campillo
Best Director
Sofia Coppola | The Beguiled
Best Actor
Joaquin Phoenix | You Were Never Really Here
Best Actress
Diane Kruger | In the Fade
Jury Prize
Loveless | Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
Best Screenplay
Yorgos Lanthimos / Efthimis Filippou | The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Lynne Ramsay | You Were Never Really Here

The Square


This is a cynical and darkly humorous story about a renowned curator at a contemporary art museum who is robbed of his phone and valuables in an unexpected way. His subsequent clumsy attempts to retrieve them lead to unforeseen situations and troubles, further complicated by an online backlash from a video produced by an agency hired for an upcoming exhibition, and a chaotic performance at a party. The film is by Swedish auteur Ruben Östlund, who also impressed with his previous work, 'Force Majeure.' The international cast, including lead actor Danish actor Claes Bang, delivers strong performances.

BPM (Beats per Minute)
Set in Paris in the early 1990s, a time of strong prejudice against AIDS, this ensemble drama depicts the lives of young people involved in radical awareness campaigns. The direction by French prodigy Robin Campillo, his third film, truly shines.

The Beguiled


Sofia Coppola herself adapted and re-filmed the novel that inspired the unique suspense film 'The Beguiled' by Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood. Set in a women's boarding school in Virginia during the final stages of the Civil War, the arrival of a severely wounded Union soldier creates sexual tension and rivalry among the women, leading to unexpected developments. Coppola's skill in downplaying the thriller elements and crafting a signature "girly" movie is brilliant, and the cinematography, which beautifully captures the American South of the era, is also outstanding.

Popular actress Nicole Kidman (who had an astonishing four films screened at Cannes this year!) delivers a strong performance as the headmistress who takes drastic action, while Colin Farrell captivates as the soldier who enchants the women, speaking with his full native Irish accent. Both actors also co-starred in the absurdist drama 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer,' which won Best Screenplay, generating considerable buzz.

Colin Farrell, previously known for his more rebellious image, possesses exceptional acting talent and comedic timing. In 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer,' he plays the charismatic surgeon, the patriarch of a family targeted for revenge, who becomes increasingly bewildered. His passionate performance, along with his candid and highly engaging remarks at the press conference for 'The Beguiled,' made a memorable impression as he energized the room.


Regrettably, director Naomi Kawase'sRadiancealso did not win an award, but it received the Ecumenical Jury Prize, awarded by Christian organizations. In other sections, four Japanese films were screened: Takashi Miike's 'Blade of the Immortal' in the Special Screenings section, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 'Before We Vanish' in the Un Certain Regard section, Atsuko Hirayanagi's 'Oh Lucy!' in the Critics' Week section, and Aya Igashi's 'Melting' in the Cinéfondation section for student films.