2012 Cannes Film Festival Predictions: Albert Serra’s Historia de la meva mort

Gist: Also known as ‘Albert Serra’s Dracula movie’, the plot focuses on the transition between the 18th century (rationalism, the Enlightenment and sensuality) and the start of the 19th century (Romanticism, obscurantism and violence), highlighting two famous characters who embodied these two worlds: Casanova and Dracula. Once again using non-actors and ‘cultural figures’ (e.g. Cinema Scope’s Mark Peranson in Birdsong), much of the details on this one are under a blanket of mystery.

Prediction: Both of Serra’s first features premiered in the Fortnight, and this one may well complete the trifecta. Despite gaining a very distinguished following in the high-brow community, Serra’s films are still too experimental and unrelentingly sparse to fit in with the typical style and shape of the Official Selection. If this film signals a leap forward in Serra’s craft or, especially, his accessibility, Frémaux and co. could have no problem securing something for him in UCR or, egad, the Main Competition. Also don’t rule out an Out of Competition berth; he’s a true Wild Card, this Catalan.