The 2023 Cannes Film Festival starts and there are 7 great reasons to expect a spectacular edition

Today starts the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, undoubtedly the most famous and largest cinema showcase in the world. Every year we have doubts and complaints about the programming and it seems that the strength of the contest fades along with the seventh art compared to streaming, or due to the competition with other festivals, but we end up convinced that Cannes selects the best of the best; He is the main prescriber within film festivals. It is not possible to bring together all the best films of the year here, but the same thing always happens: in the end we find that most of them have been screened in Cannes.

and i said here just because, Espinof is once again accredited for another year and a server is already writing to you in this little French beach town where, from today until the 27th of May, not only are we going to see tons of highly anticipated movies, but all kinds of stars, filmmakers, actors, celebrities and artists from the industry are going to parade. 12 days (although I did not stay until the end) very intense that transform Cannes in a truly strange and fascinating place.

And what about this 76 edition? Is it really interesting or is it just another one? Are those of us who have come this far exaggerating to try to convince ourselves that it is worth it? Is it a defense mechanism to overcome those moments where you have to watch absolutely unbearable movies? Could be. Or maybe not, we’ll see. In any case, I tell you that Cannes 2023 promises to be exciting and these are the reasons why I am so enthusiastic about the clouds.

Indiana Jones is back!

I do not hide. The movie that excites me most of the rest of the year is ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ (‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’) so I have the “hype” train a bit out of control. It still ends in disappointment… but I don’t think so, at least it will be entertaining and, let’s be clear, it’s a Hollywood blockbuster to be a hit at the box office. Wild adventure film. Nobody expects an amazing work or that it is at the level of the first deliveries, in fact does not direct Steven Spielberg for the first time in the saga; however, James Mangold seems like a great replacement and what the trailers have shown invites optimism. Besides, it’s the last time we’ll see Harrison Ford in the skin of the hero; The actor has confirmed it. Whatever happens, I think the excitement is guaranteed.

Almodóvar’s western

Pedro Almodovar with Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal. This sells itself (with all the love to El Deseo). Finally, after considering the possibility of adapting ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and being dissatisfied with the amount of sex that Ang Lee filmed, Almodóvar brings us his first western spoken in English and he does so with two stars leading the cast. Coincidentally, Pascal arrives after becoming one of the fashionable actors after his work in ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘The Mandalorian’. The fact that it is not a feature film and that it is being presented out of competition detracts from the importance of the presentation of ‘Strange way of life’, but for me it is one of the most powerful premieres of the festival and I am really looking forward to it.

3 hours of cinema with Scorsese

Directed by Martin Scorsese. It’s hard not to get excited when this filmmaker is going to present a new work. A new film lesson, neither more nor less. And be careful because this other western brings together on screen Leonardo DiCaprio with Robert de Niro. Along with them, Jesse Plemons, Brendan Fraser or John Lithgow. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is undoubtedly one of the great releases of the year, and I would say of the decade.

To lower expectations a bit, this ambitious production that lasts a little over 200 minutes does not compete in the Official Section. According to Ruben Östlund, president of the jury for this edition, Scorsese did not want to compete because “the risk”, in his case, is higher than the reward. Perhaps we are not facing one of the most inspired works by the director of ‘Taxi Driver’, or the director may simply not be comfortable with what it means to compete in the festival, but we are going to enjoy it anyway.

Wes Anderson’s Spain

It is also an event Wes Anderson premiere new feature film. By the way, shot in Chinchón (Madrid). In the fantastic writing of Espinof there are many pitfalls, of course, and one of them takes place whenever the name of the director of ‘La crónica francesa’ comes up. I’m not going to say again here that the filmmaker’s fans are right and his haters are wrong… but of course, that’s how it is.

Anderson is not to blame for certain things that happen around him, such as having become a mainstream author of posturing with all kinds of merchandising around him, memes on social networks or TikTok videos where there are people desperate to get a medal. Anderson’s work exudes love for cinema and he has been creating his own universe since ‘Bottle Rocket’ (1996) full of wonderful details, endearing characters and a delicious sense of humor. And it’s no coincidence that half the world wants to be in his movies; this time he has had Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Steve Carell, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe or Jeff Goldblum, among others. ‘Asteroid City’ is a must.

The king of controversy

It’s always fun to check which film is chosen to open a festival. This year, Cannes has opted for ‘Jeanne du Barry’, which despite being directed, co-written and co-starring Maiwennis surrounded by the curiosity of seeing her other star again, Johnny Depp. Tim Burton’s fetish actor returns in style after his scandalous trial with Amber Heard, who accused him of mistreatment and abuse during their relationship. Depp seems to have come out stronger and Cannes understands that everything is fine again, so he opens his new edition with this period drama where the interpreter gives life to King Louis XV. I don’t expect much, honestly, but it will be interesting.

Record of female directors in competition

This year the Cannes festival has selected 9 directors to compete for the Palme d’Or, a record figure for the contest (even so, it is only 31.5% of the Official Selection). The candidates are Jessica Hausner (‘Club Zero’), Catherine Breillat (‘Last Summer’), Justine Triet (‘Anatomie d’une chute’), Ramata-Toulaye Sy (‘Banel et Adama’), Kaouther Ben Hania (‘ Olfa’s Daughters’) and Alice Rohrwacher (‘The Chimera’). From this list we must highlight Sy, the only newcomer among all the filmmakers in the Official Section in this edition 76; I am very curious to discover his work.

Víctor Erice and the expected return of other teachers

It is difficult to single out names among all the exciting artists that have been selected to present their new works in this 76th edition. In addition to the aforementioned filmmakers, the latest film they have directed will be screened Aki Kaurismäki, Steve McQueen, Takeshi Kitano, Wim Wenders, Ken Loach or Jonathan Glazer, who returns to the cinema after blowing our heads with ‘Under the Skin’ (2013)… I want to see everything they’ve done. But as a film buff born in Spain, I am excited to discover the new work of the illustrious Victor Erice.

Strangely, his film, ‘Close your eyes’, not competing for the Palme d’Or. This circumstance, together with prejudices about Spanish cinema or its actors (really, what problem do you have now with Jose Coronado?), has led us to think that perhaps we are facing a failed work. It could be, of course, but I repeat the same as with Scorsese: I don’t care if we’re not going to see his best works anymore, I know I’m going to enjoy the experience. It is normal that they no longer surprise us, their minds have aged (ours too), we already know what they do and we know their styles and ways of narrating, but above all they are masters of the seventh art. I don’t know about you, but I want to see the material.

During these days we will tell you how is the cinema of the Cannes Film Festival 2023, its best films and the… not so good ones. You already know that I am Juan Luis Caviaro and you can follow me On twitterwhere will I leave my opinions about what I see (and other things about being here), and as a novelty this year, the brave Paula Arantzazu Ruiz accompanies me in Cannes, who is also On twitter. Wish us luck, we’re going to need it…

In Espinof | What to see at the Cannes Film Festival: three films available on streaming that received boos at the festival and are great gems