Competition: R.M.N.
He usually takes about a half decade between features and so this longer than normal gestation period since 2016’s Graduation is nothing to be too concerned about. Recently picked up by the IFC Films folks, Cristian Mungiu commenced shooting on his fifth feature film in late 2022. We can expect more cerebral film realism cinema from this master filmmaker — who reteams with cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru (who also has another film in Cannes with Metronom). His fifth feature film appears to be a tale about unchecked or unresolved feelings raising to the surface — amped up by small village conflict that disrupts the fragile eco-system. If you are a human being his world – you usually come damaged and left to pick up the pieces. Mungiu’s brain-scan might be the philosophical disrupter of the comp.
Dark Horse Title: Holy Spider
Un Certain Regard: Godland
Shot under the radar, Hlynur Pálmason lands in Cannes with what looks to be a major showcase — a 19th century tale that will use the awfully difficult elements of Iceland’s backdrop to possibly display the wrath of God on it’s usual victims. Vic Carmen Sonne and topliner Elliott Crosset Hove (from Winter Brothers) and Ingvar Sigurdsson from Pálmason masterwork sophomore film A White, White Day all returned to the fold. Making it three for three, cinematographer Maria von Hausswolff will be shifting from dazzling white outs to more unforgivable land. Coined as a tale about morality, this is a huge second Cannes preemed filmed for the filmmaker.
Dark Horse Title: Corsage
Directors’ Fortnight: Les Cinq Diables
It would have been quite a move up for her, but our most anticipated sophomore film of 2022 ended up not being selected for the Palme d’Or race. This could signify that Léa Mysius might have adhered to another uniquely atypical mix of genre cinema. It’s being tipped as a drama fantasy — filled with dark and magical memories and once again taps into youth with Sally Dramé at the forefront and with the presence of Adèle Exarchopoulos, Daphné Patakia and Noée Abita. Abita forever marked us when she appeared in Ava – Mysius playful, nonconformist debut. Mubi landed the film prior to the fest.
Dark Horse Title: God’s Creatures
Critics’ Week: Alma Viva
A feature debut from Portugal has got us excited as it will be a film that crosses into the surreal and possibly the occult. Cristèle Alves Meira’s coming-of-ager certain around a young female protagonist trying to make sense about the world around her.
Dark Horse Title: The Woodcutter Story
Bonus Pick:
Showing Up
She will be feted early in the fest at the Directors’ Fortnight and is among the last film in the competition, so this is a great year to be Kelly Reichardt. She has given us stellar cinema in three of her last four tries in 2010’s Meek’s Cutoff, masterwork Certain Women (2016) and 2019’s First Cow. She reteams with her muse Michelle Williams for what is being tipped as a vibrant and captivatingly funny portrait of art and craft.
Eric Lavallée is the founder, CEO, editor-in-chief, film journalist and critic at IONCINEMA.com (founded in 2000). Eric is a regular at Sundance, Cannes and TIFF. He has a BFA in Film Studies at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. In 2013 he served as a Narrative Competition Jury Member at the SXSW Film Festival. He was an associate producer on Mark Jackson's This Teacher (2018 LA Film Festival, 2018 BFI London). In 2022 he served as a New Flesh Comp for Best First Feature at the 2022 Fantasia Intl. Film Festival. Current top films for 2022 include Tár (Todd Field), All That Breathes (Shaunak Sen), Aftersun (Charlotte Wells).
