Cannes Film Festival 2015 Day 9: Michel Franco's 'Chronic' Premieres; Argentina, Colombia Win the Critics' Week
As the Cannes Film Festival winds down, the Critic's Week sidebar announced their winners, and the last batch of competition films premiered.
The Critic's Week sidebar, which sometimes showcases new discoveries, gave the Argentinian film "Paulina" the top prize, the Nespresso Grand Prize. The film was directed by Santiago Mitre who had previously helmed the acclaimed feature "The Student."
Meanwhile, for the Colombian film "Land and Shade," Cesar Acevedo's film took home two prizes, including The Visionary Award and the SACD award.
The Gan Foundation Support for Distribution Award went to the Afghanistan-set film "The Wakhan Front."
In competition Jacques Audiard's "Dheepan" finally premiered to solid if not stellar reviews. The film was praised for its great performances but was criticized for being too heavy handed. Critics noted unlike the director's last two films, "A Prophet" and "Rust and Bone," this film will have a hard time selling in the U.S. IFC Films obtained the movie for distribution before Cannes and has yet to set a release date.
"Chronic" also premiered to positive reviews. The film is the only Latin American competition piece, and critics said it is a respectful portrait. However, most cautioned that the film is a hard sell and will probably not get distribution. Others compared it to the Palme D'Or winner "Amour." Michel Franco previously directed the Un Certain Regard winner "After Lucia" and "Daniel and Ana."
"Valley of Love" premiered to mixed reviews. While critics praised both Isabelle Huppert and Gerard Depardieu for their performances, the film was said to be frustrating in many moments. "Valley of Love" marks the second time these two actor work together. Huppert and Depardieu, two of the most respected French actors, starred in the 1980 film "Loulou."
Looking at the films that already premiered in competition, only four have really made a splash. These include "Carol," "Son of Saul," "The Assassin" and "Mountains May Depart."
Distributors have also been hesitant with the films and among the movies still looking for U.S. distribution include "Chronic," "The Tale of Tales," "The Measure of a Man," "Louder than Bombs," "Marguerite and Julien," "Mon Roi," "The Assassin," "Mountain May Depart," and "Valley of Love."
Market
At the market, sales started to dwindle as fewer films obtained distribution. Bryan Cranston's latest film "The Infiltrator" was acquired by Broad Green Pictures. The drama also stars Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo and Benjamin Bratt. Broad Green was founded last year and is launching its first films this summer. The distributor already has an impressive lineup of films from directors that include Terrence Malick. No word on when Broad Green will release "The Infiltrator."
Meanwhile, Cohen Media Group took rights to the festival opener "Standing Tall." The movie generated positive reviews, and it is the second acquisition for the company this year. Cohen Media Group previously took rights to "Mustang," a Turkish film premiering in the Directors Fortnight sidebar.
The Cannes Film Festival ends on May 24. The prestigious Palme D'Or will be handed out on May 23.
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