early film

Quentin Dupuis’s The Second Act is a star-studded surreal French comedy starring Léa Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel and Raphaël Quenard. The film will be screened as part of the out-of-competition category and will also be released in French cinemas on the same day. “Florence wants to introduce David, the man she loves very much, to her father Guillaume. But David is not attracted to Florence and wants to throw her into the arms of his friend Willie. The four of them meet at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere,” reads the film’s official synopsis, according to the festival website.

Meryl in Cannes

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Meryl Streep as she takes to the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière to receive the honorary Palme d’Or. Meryl is no stranger to Cannes, having come to the festival in 1989 for the premiere of the film A Cry in the Dark. She went on to win the Best Actress award at the festival that year.

“I am extremely honored to receive the news of this prestigious award. For the international community of artists, winning an award at Cannes always represents the highest achievement in the art of filmmaking. Standing in the shadow of those who have been honored before is equal parts humbling and thrilling. I look forward to coming to France this May to thank everyone in person! Merrill said in a statement. At the photocall event, the three-time Oscar winner looked radiant in a blue printed shirt paired with white trousers and a white shirt.

Meanwhile, Cannes will have Greta Gerwig as jury president for the competition section. Indian film All We Imagine as Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, is on the top awards list, joining Yorgos Lanthimos’s Kindness and Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis.