May 21, 2024
Despite progress, only 29% of filmmakers across all Cannes sections are female this year, down from 31% last year. Achieving parity remains a challenge, but it’s essential to allow young female filmmakers to take risks and learn from both successes and failures. By: K Dass.
Cannes - The rising generation of female directors in France
is making waves at the Cannes Film Festival, even though there’s still a lack
of official selection parity.
Agathe Riedinger’s Wild
Diamond which premiered in the Cannes competition, marks the debut of a
first-time filmmaker. It explores society’s obsession with beauty, fame, and
social media through the story of a 19-year-old girl aiming for a spot on a
reality TV show.
In Coralie Fargeat’s The
Substance, her second feature, produced by the UK’s Working Title Films,
stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. Described as a body
horror film, it’s drawing comparisons to Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or-winning
film Titane.
Emma Benestan’s Animale
is a fantasy western set in the male-dominated bull racing scene in Camargue,
this film is part of Critics’ Week.
Noemie Merlant’s The
Balconettes, co-written with Celine Sciamma, this Midnight Screening film
blends comedy, fantasy, and horror as three roommates meddle in their
neighbors’ lives from their Marseille balcony.
In Jessica Palud’s
Maria Schneider Biopic, Being Maria stars Anamaria Vartolomei as the
famed actress navigating the pitfalls of fame.
Additionally, French
actresses are stepping into the director’s chair as well. Laetitia Dosch
presents the canine courtroom comedy Dog On Trial. Celine Sallette
directs the Niki de Saint Phalle biopic Niki. Ariane Labed explores
mother-daughter dynamics in September Says. Louise Courvoisier’s debut
feature Holy Cow is a comedy-drama set in the Jura mountains.