2012 Cannes Film Festival Predictions: Manoel de Oliveira’s Gebo and the Shadow

Gist: The Portuguese filmmaker is working in the French language once again, this one based on a play by Raul Brandão. Set in the 19th century, Gebo looks at a man who goes to great lengths to protect his fugitive son. The film will once again star de Oliveira’s grandson Ricardo Trepa, as well as big names like Michel Piccoli, Jeanne Moreau, and Claudia Cardinale. Oh yeah: by the time this film screens in Cannes, de Oliveira will be a little more than six months away from his 104th birthday.

Prediction: Manoel de Oliveira seems to have a niche cut out for himself in UCR, and Gebo, a tribute to France and the support he’s received from the country, should make an appearance in that section. However, coming off the hit that was The Strange Case of Angelica, this may very well be a year for the star treatment in Competition.