The Cannes Film Festival rejected an opportunity to have a glitzy Hollywood film opening the 2015 event. Instead, La Tete haute by French filmmaker Emmanuelle Bercot will be screened on opening night.
The film, which stars Catherine Deneuve, was written by Bercot and Marcia Romano. It tells the story of Malony, a juvenile delinquent played by Rod Paradot. It will be screened on May 13, the same day it opens around France.
“The choice of this film may seem surprising, given the rules generally applied to the Festival de Cannes Opening Ceremony,” Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Event, explained in a statement. "It is a clear reflection of our desire to see the Festival start with a different piece, which is both bold and moving. Emmanuelle Bercot's film makes important statements about contemporary society, in keeping with modern cinema. It focusses on universal social issues, making it a perfect fit for the global audience at Cannes.”
As Variety notes, this will mark the first time since 1987 that Cannes will open with a film by a female director. The 1987 opener was Diane Kury’s A Man In Love. It’s also the first 100 percent French production to open the festival since 2005’s Lemming.
Bercot began directing in 2001 with Clement, which was screened in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section. She also directed Deneuve in On My Way and stars in Maïwenn's Mon roi. Her other acting credits include Carlos and Class Trip.
This is a big departure for Cannes, as recent years have opened with big, star-studded projects. Last year began with Nicole Kidman’s Grace of Monaco, while the year before’s event started with The Great Gatsby.
Joel and Ethan Coen are the presidents of this year’s jury. Mad Max: Fury Road is set to have its world premiere during the festival, which runs from May 13 to May 24.
The rest of this year’s line-up will be announced Thursday morning.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com