Director’s Fortnight 2023: A Showcase of Independent Cinema
Running parallel to the renowned Cannes Film Festival, the 57th edition of Directors’ Fortnight has announced a captivating collection of films. The lineup includes projects from acclaimed directors and newcomers alike, promising an eclectic mix of stories and artistic visions.
Opening and Closing Films
The opening film for this year’s event will be “Enzo,” directed by Robin Campillo, best known for “BPM (Beats Per Minute).” This film marks a poignant tribute, as Campillo took over the direction following the passing of his longtime collaborator, Laurent Cantet. Set in Marseille, “Enzo” follows a young apprentice mason who forges a friendship with a Ukrainian worker, revealing new perspectives on life.
Marseille also serves as the backdrop for this film, which features fresh talent Eloy Pohu and Maksym Slivinskyi, as well as established actors Élodie Bouchez and Pierfrancesco Favino.
Closing Directors’ Fortnight will be “Sorry, Baby,” a film that garnered significant attention at the Sundance Film Festival. This production, directed by Eva Victor and produced by Barry Jenkins of “Moonlight” fame, explores a college professor’s journey toward healing after experiencing sexual assault. The film stars Naomi Ackie and Lucas Hedges.
Prominent Feature Films
A significant addition to the lineup is Christian Petzold’s “Miroirs n.3,” which follows an aspiring pianist whose life intersects dramatically with a tragic car accident. This film represents Petzold’s ongoing collaboration with actor Paul Beer, further cementing their creative partnership.
Lloyd Lee Choi’s “Lucky Lu” takes viewers on an emotional ride with a delivery driver in New York City, whose world is upended when his e-bike is stolen just as his family plans to reunite after years apart. The film was inspired by Choi’s prior short film, “Same Old.”
Notable Mentions
The lineup also includes Sean Byrne’s thrilling “Dangerous Animals,” featuring a shark-obsessed serial killer. Starring Jai Courtney, this film was acquired by IFC Films and AMC Networks’ Shudder platform for distribution.
Director Hasan Hadi will present his debut feature, “The President’s Cake,” a story that centers on a young girl’s obligations to bake for Saddam Hussein’s birthday amidst her family’s struggles. This title reflects Hadi’s previous success with his award-winning short film “Swimsuit,” which was featured on HBO Max.
Additional French Contributions
Several French films will be featured, including “Middle Class” by Anthony Cordier, a comedy with a star-studded cast such as Laurent Lafitte and Élodie Bouchez. Another highlight is Thomas Ngijol’s thriller, “Indomptables,” set against the backdrop of Cameroon.
Canadian filmmaker Anne Émond brings forth “Peak Everything,” a romantic comedy about an unsuspecting kennel owner whose life changes when he meets a woman specializing in light therapy lamps. The event will also present the documentary “Militantropos,” directed by Yelizaveta Smith, Alina Gorlova, and Simon Mozgovyi, focusing on the impact of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict on individual behaviors.
Complete Lineup of Feature Films
- “Enzo,”
- “Amour Apocalypse,”
- “Brand New Landscape,”
- “Classe moyenne” (Middle Class),
- “Dangerous Animals,”
- “The Foxes Round,”
- “The Girl in the Snow,”
- “The Girls We Want,”
- “Girl on Edge,”
- “Indomptables,”
- “Kokuho,”
- “Lucky Lu,”
- “Militantropos,”
- “Miroirs n.3,”
- “La mort n’existe pas,”
- “The President’s Cake,”
- “Que ma volonté soit faite,”
- “Sorry Baby,”
As Directors’ Fortnight prepares for this year’s showcase, the festival promises a diverse array of stories that reflect a range of cultural experiences and artistic expressions in contemporary cinema.
