Deauville celebrates its half century
2024 is an important year for the Deauville American Cinema Festival. In fact, it is on the one hand the 50th editiona remarkable longevity, for a festival that has become a major witness to the history of American cinema and its relationship with the public and French cinema. And on the other hand, after years complicated by the consequences of the pandemic and a year 2023 that deprived, due to the Hollywood strikes, its famous tables of the steps of American stars, this anniversary edition of the Deauville Festival must be memorable.
Two days after the opening ceremony on September 6, this is clear the stars are there and that the attractive lineup of films, both in and out of competition, is off to a great start.
Michael Douglas in Majesty
Guest of honor at this fiftieth edition, legendary actor and producer Michael Douglas set the red carpet and the CID alight with his presence. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, a very rich career that has made him a regular at the Festival, like his father, Kirk Douglasin his time. Charismatic, speaking on several occasions in a charming French, he spoke of his relationship with the Festival, and in particular his meeting with Catherine Zeta-Jonesright here, in 1999.
I had just discovered “The Mask of Zorro” a few weeks before arriving at the festival, and… My God! When I arrived to promote our film, I think it was “A Perfect Murder,” I looked at the program and saw that the next night they were showing “Zorro.” So I asked my assistant, “Can you find out if Catherine Zeta-Jones is coming? And if she’s coming alone, and if I can have a drink with her?” The rest is history…
The large audience at the opening ceremony was won over, as was the actress Ludivine Sagnier, her playmate in the series. Franklin -, who gave an inspired and touching speech before presenting the award to Michael Douglas.
Later in the week, these are among others Sebastian Stan, Natalie Portman AND Michelle Williams who will honor the celebration with their presence.
Dazzling juries
In response to this opening ceremony, Ludivine Sagnier is in Deauville as a member of the Jury. Chaired by Benoît Magimel, it includes, in addition to François Ozon’s favourite actress, the director Martin Bourboulon, the actress Emilie Dequenne, the director Agathe Riedinger, the actor Damien Bonnard and the actress Lou Lampros.
For the Jury of Revelationvery nice names have answered the call since it is composed of the actress Alice Belaïdi (President), the director and screenwriter Emma Benestan, the actor Salim Kechiouche, the director and screenwriter Iris Kaltenbäck and the actress Karidja Touré.
An ambitious and high-impact start to the competition
At the end of the opening ceremony, the young screenwriter and director Malia Anna received the New Generation Award at the Deauville Festival and his short film The heart was screened. A beautiful promise of cinema signed by the young woman, who is none other than the daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama. It is then Lee Millerthe biopic about the famous photographer and reporter, starring Kate Winslet and with Marion Cotillard in the cast, presented to the festival audience.
The movie Sing Sing by Greg Kwedar opened the competition on Saturday morning. A touching story, carried forward by an excellent Colman Domingo. Sing Sing it looks like this:
Imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, Divine G finds purpose performing in a theater troupe alongside other incarcerated men, including a wary newcomer.
The second film of the competition was screened, greeted with a standing ovation from the spectators but received very divided feedback, The case of the foreigner by Brandt Andersen tells the migratory drama of the Mediterranean in five portrait-chapters and notably includes Omar Sy in its cast, in the highly ambiguous role of migrant smuggler and loving father.
As for “first times”, this Saturday, September 7th has been magnified the excellent Don’t speak badlydirected by James Watkins – to whom we owe the traumatic Lake of Eden released in 2008 -. In this Blumhouse production, a couple in crisis and their daughter spend a weekend with a newly met couple, apparently very close and happy, also parents of a child. But Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), who receive Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy), in the end turn out to be not so friendly…
A great horror-horror film, as terrifying as it is very funny at times. With a perfect pace and absolutely funny, James McAvoy gives an exceptional performance. Finally, to close its first day, the Deauville Festival spoiled its audience with the screening of Tim Burton’s new film: Beetle juiceBeetle juice. A start to the edition with great fanfare, which heralds a week full of events and emotions.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
