American filmmaker Sean Baker was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival for his film “Anora.” In his acceptance speech, Baker dedicated the award to sex workers and emphasized the importance of experiencing cinema in a traditional movie theater setting. The movie, acquired by Neon, tells the story of a love affair between a Russian oligarch and a sex worker, portrayed by Mickey Madison.
Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes and was acquired by Mubi for a U.S. theater release in September. The film follows an aging actress who takes a new medication that promises to reveal a younger version of herself. Meanwhile, Netflix is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for the U.K. and U.S. rights to Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” which features Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón in the cast. The movie explores a lawyer’s involvement in a drug cartel leader’s sex change operation in Mexico.
Payal Kapadia’s Indian film “All We Imagine As Light” won the Grand Prix at Cannes, highlighting the story of a nurse longing for her husband after their arranged marriage ended when he left for work in Germany. Sideshow and Janus Films acquired the U.S. rights to the film, making it a strong contender for the Palme d’Or. In contrast, Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited “Megalopolis” struggled to find a domestic distributor as it debuted at Cannes. The $120M project was first acquired by Le Pacte in France before securing international distribution rights in various countries.
Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” purchased by Mubi for U.K. and Ireland before Cannes, follows the story of a 12-year-old girl who befriends a mysterious man in a small town. The film, starring Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, and Nykiya Adams, was later acquired by Mubi for U.S. distribution as well. Neon acquired Mohammad Rasoulof’s film “The Seed of a Sacred Fig,” which won the Prix Special of the jury at Cannes. Rasoulof, who had fled Iran prior to the festival due to legal issues, received a standing ovation when he accepted the award at the festival.
Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope,” purchased by A24 before Cannes, was the subject of much anticipation but also mixed critical reviews. Starring Celeste Dalla Porta and Gary Oldman, the film explores freedom, love, and the city of Naples. “The Girl with the Needle,” by Swedish director Magnus Von Horn and acquired by Mubi, tells the true story of an infant serial killer in 1910s Copenhagen. Shot entirely in black and white, the film stars Vic Carmen Sonne and Trine Dyrholm in lead roles.
