The most anticipated film festival of the year is finally here, and A-list stars and the biggest names in movie making are flocking from all parts of the globe to attend the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in the south of France. The festival not only previews the most notable films of the year, but is also a fashion extravaganza and a chance for the stars to show off their best outfit picks on the red carpet. We have the lowdown on everything Cannes – from fashion, to the rising stars and most-talked about films.
What to Watch
Baz Luhrman’s film ‘The Great Gatsby‘ is opening the festival, and it seems appropriate that an adaptation to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece about extravagance in the jazz age should be the kick-off to one the most glamourous events of the year. Although the film is not up to win any awards from the festival, it is one of the most anticipated films of the years, featuring Leonardo Dicaprio as Jay Gatsby, Carrie Mulligan as Daisy Buchanon, and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. Perhaps the film’s opening will attract some of the musical stars from the soundtrack to the festival such as Lana Del Rey and Florence Welch. Jay-Z, a musical producer for the film, will be attending and Beyonce recently cancelled the Belgium leg of her tour in order to stand next to her man at the film’s Cannes premiere.
Another film expected to have a big presence at the festival is Nicolas Winding Refn’s film, ‘Only God Forgives.’ The film stars Ryan Gosling and is the second collaboration that they have worked on together, the first one being the 2011 thriller, ‘Drive.’ The film takes place in Bangkok, and from the looks of the trailer, it will probably be one of the more violent and action-packed film at the festival.
‘Behind the Candelabra’ is Steven Soderbergh’s biopic about musician Liberace and his love affair with the much younger Scott Thorson. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon play the two lovers and look almost unrecognizable in their 70’s attire. The buzz seems to be around Douglas’ flamboyant performance and the unravelling of the story behind a rapid and brief love affair.
Sophia Coppola’s ‘The Bling Ring‘ is another hyped-up film for this year’s festival although it is not competing directly for the Palme d’Or award. Based on real-life events, the film tracks the a group of fame-obsessed teens that stalk celebrities via social media before breaking into their homes when they know they’ll be empty, stealing millions of dollars worth of assets. We can’t wait to see Emma Watson’s transformation from pretty English rose into a bratty LA teen criminal.
Rising Stars
Marion Cotillard is a star to look out for this year at the film festival. The actress is starring in two films – James Gray’s ‘The Immigrant’ and Guillaume Canet’s ‘Blood Ties.’ In ‘The Immigrant’ she plays a prostitute and co-stars alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner. ‘Blood Ties’ is a crime thriller that takes place in Brooklyn during the 70’s and directed by her real life partner, Guillaume Canet. Cotillard is no new comer to show business, having starred in past popular blockbusters like ‘Inception’ and ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ Premiering in two notable films this year at the festival, she is sure to be one golden girl to keep an eye out for.
The Cannes Film Festival has launched a number of actor’s careers and is a chance for newcomers to make a statement in the film industry. Elizabeth Debicki is one such star that makes her acting debut in none other than ‘The Great Gatsby.’ She plays the minor role of Jordan Baker, but within a cast of stars like DiCaprio and Mulligan, she still manages to radiate a strong presence on the screen. This is her first big role in a film- not bad for a newcomer. We are excited to see the direction her acting career takes her after her debut in the most anticipated film of the year.
Emma Watson continues to surprise audiences as she breaks away from her ‘Harry Potter’ image. This time, she is starring in Sofia Coppola’s latest film, ‘The Bling Ring,’ playing a fame obsessed teen that parties, steals, and pole-dances. Since her ‘Hermoine’ days, Watson has starred in films like ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ and ‘My Week With Marilyn,’ but this seems to be her most risque role as an actress and will perhaps shed a new light on her capabilities as an actress beyond ‘Harry Potter.’
Souleymane Deme is a true newcomer to this year’s film festival, starring in ‘Grisgris’ as a 25-year-old man that aspires to become a dancer despite his paralysis from the waste down. To help his uncle after he falls ill, he joins petrol smugglers to help save him. He is a relatively unknown actor, and this could be the role that propels him into the spotlight as a new and notable actor.
Fashion Fun
The Cannes Film Festival is more than just an event that commemorates upcoming films for the year. It is also a fashion spotlight, and a chance for stars to wear the best couture from the biggest designers.
“The entire town is turned into a red carpet,” Leonardo Dicaprio said about the event. “Every hotel is a premiere. But at the same time, it is the mecca for the world to celebrate film-making and bold film-making.”
Nicole Kidman already set the standard high, wearing a black sequined covered dress at the Martinez Hotel while grabbing some cocktails the night before the event even started.
Last year, Diane Kruger stole the red carpet award for best dressed, consistently arriving to the red carpet in a number of beautiful gowns. The ‘Inglourious Basterds’ actress served as a juror at the festival, however it was her impeccable outfit choices that made her stand out last year.
Who will steal the show this year at the Cannes red carpet? Check out some of the other best dressed stars from last year.
The 2013 Cannes Film Festival lasts from 15 May to 26 May. You can read the lineup of films that will premiere and compete at the festival here.