Every year, all media eyes are on Cannes, France for eleven days during their prestigious film festival. Many established filmmakers debut their latest projects at Cannes, and this year is no different. Films by internationally renowned directors such as Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom), David Cronenberg (Cosmopolis), Michael Haneke (Amour) will all make their debut at the festival. As well, big-name stars such as Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, and Matthew McConaughey (x2!) will all light up screens along the French Riviera as Cannes launches this week.
But what about the next generation of filmmaking talent? New writers, directors, and actors are always emerging. And while Cannes might not be as friendly to new faces as, say, the Sundance Festival is, there’s still plenty of time allotted to rookie filmmakers on the Cannes roster. Here’s a look at some of the fresh faces and unfamiliar names that you might want to keep an eye on whether you’re down in France for the big show or following the festivities from behind your laptop.
Brandon Cronenberg and Caleb Landry Jones – Director and actor, Antiviral
Brandon Cronenberg might have the name recognition thanks to his father, David, but Antiviral is actually his directorial debut. But while his talent remains unproven until the film screens, he certainly has a good premise to work with here. The film stars Caleb Landry Jones (who stole his scenes as Beast in the latest X-Men flick) as a young man who sells injections of viruses that have infected various celebrities to their fanatical admirers. Sci-fi is a tricky genre to tackle, but if he’s anything like his father (who is perhaps best known for quirky movies like The Fly and Scanners), Brandon Cronenberg can probably pull it off.
Xavier Dolan – Director, Laurence Anyways
At just 23 years old, this French Canadian wunderkind already has two critically acclaimed films under his belt – 2009’s J’ai Tue ma Mere and 2010’s Les Amours Imaginaires. He’ll return to Cannes with his highly anticipated third feature, Laurence Anyways, which revolves around a young man who decides to undergo a sex change operation. Interestingly, it’s Dolan’s first film that he won’t be acting in.
Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, and Kristen Stewart – Actors, On the Road
Walter Salles has already made his name as a director with projects like The Motorcycle Diaries,but he’s taking a leap of faith with his latest project, On the Road. Not only is he adapting one of the most famous (and most plotless) novels of the 20th century to the screen, but he’s leaving it in the hands of three young actors whose resumes might raise some eyebrows. The film’s lead star, Sam Riley, earned raves for his breakout performance as Ian Curtis in 2007’s moody biopic, Control. But while he was great in that film, his career has stalled since then. Could this be the break he deserves? Hedlund, meanwhile, had a breakout year in 2010 when he landed the lead role in Disney’s glossy Tron reboot, but didn’t get the chance to show off a lot of acting chops. However, he also showed a lot of potential in the little-seen Gwyneth Paltrow flick from the same year, Country Strong, so audiences who only know him from Tron may be in for a pleasant surprise if he turns out to be good in On the Road. Then, of course, there’s Stewart, who, despite having the most extensive filmography of the trio, seems to have garnered the most skepticism for her casting in On the Road. And while I’ll be the first to admit that the Twilight franchise is where decent acting goes to die, I’ve been impressed with her work in films like The Runaways and Adventureland¸ so I’m interested to see what she’ll do next.
Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar – Director and co-writers, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Maybe this one is a bit of a cheat, since Beasts of the Southern Wild already played months ago at Sundance. But buzz has been so positive for the debut feature from co-writer and director Benh Zietlin and writer Lucy Alibar (who apparently met as teenagers at summer camp), that I couldn’t leave it off. The trailer looks lush and inviting, and early word has pegged this fantastical family drama as a crowd-pleaser. Also definitely worth noting is the film’s young star, 8-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis, who has earned nothing but praise for her work, and who looks just downright adorable.
Jacopo Olmo Antinori and Tea Falco – Actors, Io e Te (Me and You)
Veteran Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci seems to have an eye for young talent. His last film, 2003’s controversial The Dreamers, helped to launch the careers of Eva Green, Michael Pitt, and Louis Garrel. Now, his long-awaited follow-up, Me and You, will screen outside of competition at Cannes. The film’s two stars, Antinori and Falco, are basically newcomers, and while there’s not much to speak for yet in terms of skill, this high-profile project should at least earn them a healthy share of attention.
Beyond the Multiplex 