Cannes Critics’ Week Unveils 2024 Line-Up

Ghost Trail movie — Adam Bessa in 'Ghost Trail' mk2 films

Cannes Critics’ Week championing work by emerging filmmakers has unveiled the line-up for its 63rd edition running from May 15 to 23.

The traditionally compact parallel selection will showcase 11 features, seven in competition, as well as 13 short films, selected from 1,050 features and 2,150 short films. (scroll down for full list)

The 2024 edition marks Artistic Director Ava Cahen’s third at the helm, with buzzy discoveries under her directorship to date including Tiger Stripes, The Rapture, Aftersun and Love According To Dalva.

Opening and closing films

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French director Jonathan Millet’s psychological manhunt thriller Ghost Trail (Les Fantômes) will open the section. It marks his first feature after half a dozen shorts including Tell Me About The Stars.

Adam Bessa, who won the Un Certain Regard prize for his performance in Harka in 2022, stars as a man in pursuit of his former torturer. He never saw his oppressor’s face, but knows his smell, his voice, and his skin.

Ghost Trail is Millet’s first feature after half a dozen shorts including the well-travelled work Tell Me About The Stars.

Critics’ Week delegate general Ava Cahen described the movie “as a thrilling sensory film… that overhauls the canons of spy movies” in a pre-recorded video address on the line-up.

“French-Tunisian actor Adam Bessa’s subtlety leaves us breathless,” she added.

Emma Benestan’s revenge horror Animale will close the section.

Set against the backdrop of the bull racing scene in France’s Camargue region, the movie stars Oulaya Amamra (Divines) as a young woman making her way in this male-dominated world.

As she trains hard with her sights set on the biggest contest of the year, news breaks that a violent, rogue bull is on the loose at the same time as a number of young men are found brutally murdered.

Cahen described the movie as a “new take on the myth of the beast”, adding that it was at the crossroads “between western, slasher, body horror, and revenge film.

“A potent feminist manifesto with the radiant Oulaya Amamra, transcended by this complex, physical role,” she added.

Competition

In Competition, Brazilian director Marcelo Caetano will present his second feature Baby, a vibrant portrait of a young outsider trying to survive in São Paolo.

“This delightfully romantic queer drama is a tough, tender depiction of a stifling social reality and a modern love story,” said Cahen.

Caetano’s first feature Body Electric played in a slew of festivals including Rotterdam, San Sebastián, Guadalajara and L.A. Outfest.

U.S.-Chinese filmmaker Constance Tsang’s competes with her first feature Blue Sun Palace, which is described as a bittersweet chronicle of the tumultuous destiny of Chinese immigrants living in Queens.

“As humble and dignified as its characters, this first, realistic and intimate, film sheds light on a community that is little seen. With the wonderful Lee Kang-sheng – Tsai Ming-liang’s favorite actor,” said Cahen.

From Egypt, directorial duo Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir will present their documentary The Brink of Dreams, about a group of Coptic girls who defy tradition by forming an all-female street theatre troupe.

“The personality of these indomitable women bleeds beautifully onto this pacey, genuine film and its exciting, free style,” said Cahen.

French director Antoine Chevrollier, who cut his director’s teeth on TV shows such as Baron Noir and the Disney+ original production Oussekine, will unveil his first feature Block Pass (La Pampa).

Set against the backdrop of a rural motocross track called La Pampa, the feature reunites Chevrollier with Oussekine star Sayyid El Alami in the role of a young man finding his way against the odds. Other cast include newcomer Amaury Foucher and established actors Artus and Damien Bonnard.

“The cast – young and seasoned actors alike – intensely convey this drama where friendship shines through as a bulwark against intolerance. We live and breathe along with the emotions that are never strained,” said Cahen.

Out of Asia, Taiwanese director KEFF will present his first feature Locust which is set in 2019 Taiwan, in the midst of working-class protests, among disillusioned youths drawn to guns and gangs.

“This masterfully directed, tragic, romantic genre film, is a tribute to the great masters of Taiwanese and American cinema and offers a passionate and skillful reinterpretation of neo-noir conventions,” said Cahen.

KEFF previously made waves with Taipei Suicide Story, which was selected for Official Selection in 2020 in the Cinefondation sidebar and also played to acclaim at Slamdance among other festivals.

Further contenders include Belgian director Leonardo Van Dijl with first feature Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie Zwijgt) about a promising young tennis player who is forced to speak out by her club when her coach comes under investigation.

Van Dijl has previously explored the world of competitive sport with his short film Stephanie, about a young gymnast, which was selected for the Official Selection shorts competition in 2020.

“The razor-sharp writing and directing of this utterly modern film is compelling and cinematic proof that speaking one’s truth is no small feat,” commented Cahen.

Out of Latin America, Argentina’s beleaguered indie film industry will be represented by Federico Luis’s first film Simon of the Mountain, which is described as a drama challenging views on disability.

“A physical, deeply human drama, which doubles down as a surprising coming-of-age story, where the protagonist wrestles through life, following the whims of his borderline personality disorder,” said Cahen.

Special Screenings

Alongside the opening and closing films another two titles will play out of competition as Special Screenings: Across the Sea (La mer au loin) and Queens of Drama.

The second feature of French and Moroccan director Saïd Hamich Benlarbi, Across The Sea (La mer au loin) stars emerging actor Ayoub Gretaa as a young Moroccan man living clandestinely in Marseille, opposite established names Grégoire Colin and Anna Mouglalis.

Alexis Langlois’ first film Queens of Drama is described as “an irresistible lesbian pop, grunge musical” and “glittery, vibrant love letter to cinema” through the story of two competing singers in love with one another.

The intriguing cast features relative newcomers Louiza Aura and Gio Venture alongside singer-songwriter, former Eurovision Song Contest contender and LGBTQ+ activist Bilal Hassani, as well as actresses Asia Argento, and Alma Jodorowsky.

As previously announced, Spanish director, screenwriter, and producer Rodrigo Sorogoyen will be the president of the Cannes Critics’ Weeks jury, supported by French producer Sylvie Pialat, Rwandan actress Eliane Umuhire, Belgian cinematographer Virginie Surdej, and Canadian film critic Ben Croll.

They will decide the Leitz Ciné Discovery Prize for Best Short Film, the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award, the French Touch Prize of the Jury and the Semaine de la Critique Grand Prize.

The short film selection will be announced on April 18.

CANNES CRITICS’ WEEK 2024 LINE-UP

Competition

Baby
Dir. Marcelo Caetano
(Br-Fr-Nl)

Blue Sun Palace
Dir. Constance Tsang
(U.S.)

The Brink of Dreams (Rafaat einy ll sama)
Dir. Nada Riyadh, Ayman El Amir
(Egy-Fr-Dk-Qat-Saudi)

Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie zwijgt)
Dir. Leonardo Van Dijl
(Bel-Sw)

Locust
Dir. KEFF
(Tai-Fr-U.S.)

Block Pass (La Pampa)
Dir. Antoine Chevrollier
(Fr)

Simon of the Mountain (Simon de la montaña)
Dir. Federico Luis
(Arg-Chile-Ur)

Special Screenings

Ghost Trail (Les Fantômes) OPENING FILM
Dir. Jonathan Millet
(Fr-Ger-Bel)