In theaters on May 24: Knights of the Zodiac, The Little Mermaid, Love and Forests…

Tomasz Baginski’s Knights of the Zodiac

Starring: Famke Jansen, Madison Eiseman, Sean Bean…

What is it about? Seiya, a strong-willed teenager, used to fighting to earn enough money to survive on the streets, searches for her kidnapped sister. During the fight, he unwittingly attracts mysterious mystical forces and finds himself in a world where he encounters knights in armor…

did you know Seiya, the hero of the saga, is played by the American-Japanese actor McKenna. Revealed in Pacific Rim Uprising, he also portrays Roronoa Zoro in the live-action series One Piece on Netflix, another adaptation of the iconic manga. Note that McEnue is the son of the late comedian Sonny Chiba, who died in August 2021.

The Little Mermaid by Rob Marshall

With Holly Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King…

What is it about? Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, is a beautiful and fiery young mermaid with an adventurous temperament. A rebel at heart, she is constantly drawn to the world that exists beyond the waves. During her escape to the surface, she falls under the spell of Prince Eric.

did you know Disney had already staged a colorful Little Mermaid in the animated series The Little Mermaid, which aired from 1992 to 1994. Responding to the name of Gabriela, the deaf heroine and accompanied by the octopus Ollie (who serves as her translator) have not only one dream: to become a singer. For the record, the character of Gabriella was inspired by a little girl who was a fan of the animated film, who died in the first season of the show.

Omar Marczvi by Elias Belkedar

Reda with cats, Benoit Magimel, Meriem Amiary…

What is it about? Omar, better known as Omar Marczvi, is an old-fashioned bandit. Forced to flee to Algeria, he saw little shenanigans accompanied by his famous sidekick Roger. After decades of reigning in the heart of French banditry, they must come to terms with a new life together, having lived only in debauchery and violence.

did you know The cast of the film is composed of professional and amateur actors in order to “Use different rhythms and energies, capture the nuances of languages, cultures, religious beliefs”. For the director, it was also about a declaration of love for Algeria, bringing in as many cultural nuances as possible.

Love and the Woods by Valerie Donzel

Virgin with Efira, Melville Pupo, Dominic Raymond…

What is it about? When Blanche meets Grégoire, she thinks she’s met the one she’s been looking for. The bond that binds them together is woven quickly, and their story is built on anger. The couple moves in, Blanche leaves her family, her twin sister, opens up to a new life. But following the wire, she finds herself under the influence of a possessive and dangerous man.

did you know Love and the Woods is adapted from the novel of the same name by Eric Reinhardt, which Valerie Donzelli read during the filming of Margherita and Julien (2015). The director found immediate personal resonances there, such as the sentiment of not fully expressing one’s feelings for fear of being unloved.

Maleta by Jorge Dorado

With Alvaro Morte, Veronica Echegi, Maria Eugenia Suarez…

What is it about? Mario works in a lost and found office in Madrid. One day he is given a suitcase found at the bottom of a river. Inside, Mario finds children’s clothes and bones. Undecided by the police to investigate, he then decides to do his own research, putting his life at risk.

did you know La Maleta tells the story of a suffering man, a kind of modern Hunchback of Notre Dame, who tries to escape his suffering and the rejection of others by hiding from the outside world. Director Jorge Dorado explains:

“He is a man who treats objects as opposed to men who treat people as objects. La Maleta is a thriller about a simple man who likes Humphrey Bogart movies and detective novels.”

Hidden Faces Joe Lawlor, Christine Molloy

With Ann Skelly, Orla Brady, Aidan Gillen…

What is it about? Rose, a veterinary student, decides to contact Ellen, her biological mother, whom she does not know. He is a successful actor who does not want to be in a relationship with Rose. The latter is very persistent, and Ellen finally reveals the secret she has been hiding for more than 20 years. After this discovery, Rose gets closer to her biological father…

did you know In the early stages of script development, Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy usually drive from their home in East London to the River Thames. They remember: “Walking along Regent’s Canal, the story of a young adopted woman began to take shape, and over the months we began to understand the details of the story and how we wanted to tell it.”

The smell of Hadi Mohageg wind

Hadi with Mohagegh, Mohammad Eghbal

What is it about? In an isolated house on the Iranian plains, a man lives alone with his bedridden son. One day the house transformer breaks down. An electrician comes to fix it. With a piece missing, he goes in search of it, strewn with skirmishes and obstacles…

Play Dead by Patrick Lussier

Starring Bailey Madison, Jerry O’Connell, Anthony Turpel…

What is it about? Chloe, a criminology student, fakes her own death to break into a morgue and find evidence linking her brother to the crime.

Paul-Armand Getty in Wonderland by Sylvie Boulud

What is it about? Dedicated to the artist Paul-Armand Getty, this film deals with the issue of the female body, its representation in art, the issue of the model and its freedom. Paul-Armand Getty disrupts our visual habits, provokes our judgments and our preconceptions. Who better than his models to talk about him, with him, about them?