5 Films In This Year’s Cannes Lineup To Keep On Your Radar!

Cannesl is one of the leading film festivals in the world, showcasing dozens of films across various genres, giving projects a certain credibility and stature unlike any other. Last year, Cannes showcased Oscar-worthy films like Sentimental Value and The Phoenician Scheme. The lineup for the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, kicking off May 12 and running through May 23, is officially out, and the selection is promising for many audiences. This year’s lineup has many veteran names, alongside some exciting directing debuts. Over 2,500 feature films were submitted for consideration, and less than 30 of them were selected to compete for the Palme d’Or award. Whether you're a film lover or just love knowing what's about to take over your timeline, here are the titles to have on your radar right now!

1. The Man I Love (dir. Ira Sachs)

The film follows Jimmy George (Rami Malek), a theater artist taking on what could be his last role due to his life-threatening illness. The musical fantasy style promises to bring a new way of portraying the AIDS crisis in 1980s New York, and we can expect Malek’s performance to bring intensity and great emotion. Sachs is the only American director in the Palme d’Or competition this year, and he’s already secured French distribution ahead of the festival.

2. Bitter Christmas (dir. Pedro Almodóvar)

This tragicomedy incorporates elements of autofiction and follows two stories: one of Elsa, an advertising director who immerses herself in work to cope with her mother’s passing; and another of Raúl, the screenwriter behind Elsa’s story. Known for bold color palettes and complex female characters, Oscar winner Almodóvar is returning home with this Spanish-language feature, and we can expect this film to be another remarkable one in Almodóvar’s filmography.

3. Gentle Monster (dir. Marie Kreutzer)

In this drama, a renowned pianist named Lucy moves to the countryside with her family and is forced to confront the complexities of love, trust, and deception after a life-shattering truth comes to light. The experienced director Kreutzer is known for her character-driven stories that highlight female perspectives and personal rebellion. Details on the film are still being kept close to the chest, which only adds to the intrigue.

4. Full Phil (dir. Quentin Dupieux)

This absurdist drama comedy follows Philip, a wealthy American industrialist who attempts to connect with his estranged daughter Madeline. Their luxurious Paris vacation is disturbed when French food, a 1950s horror movie, and a nosy hotel employee interfere with their plans. Directed by Quentin Dupieux and with Kristen Stewart and Woody Harrison as the two leads, we can expect this film to feel like a comedic fever dream.

5. Fjord (dir. Cristian Mungiu)

This film follows a Romanian family who move to Norway and shortly after become the center of scrutiny when they are suspected of hurting their own children. Oscar nominee Renata Reinsve stars as the lead alongside Sebastian Stan. Mungiu won the Palme d’Or award in 2007, and his return is promising to both fans of his work and fans of the festival. This film is already generating some buzz and is guaranteed to attract more attention after its Cannes debut.