In cinema, few events carry as much weight, prestige, and allure as the Cannes Film Festival. As the calendar turns to its 76th year, the festival is once again set to unveil a dazzling lineup of cinematic masterpieces, making the French Riviera the heartbeat of the film world. 

Amidst the multitude of movies competing for the coveted Palme d’Or, there is an equally captivating selection of films premiering out of competition – entries that may not vie for the ultimate prize. Yet, we can’t help but be excited for them.

Cannes’ magic lies in its unique blend of glamour, gravitas, and tradition, annually attracting a dazzling array of filmmakers, actors, critics, and cinephiles from every corner of the globe. 

This year, the festival will once again bear witness to the prowess of legendary directors and the promise of emerging talents. The illustrious lineup features names that have shaped the cinematic landscape and are still pushing its boundaries: Martin Scorsese, Takeshi Kitano, and Victor Erice, among others. Each director’s unique storytelling sensibilities contribute to the festival’s rich and diverse tapestry.

Scorsese’s much-anticipated Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, is a testament to his mastery over crime drama, this time set against the backdrop of Native American history. On the other hand, Victor Erice returns with Close Your Eyes, a mesmerising mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Spanish actor. 

As the red carpet rolls out on the Croisette, Cannes 2023 promises to be an unforgettable exploration of the human condition through the universal language of cinema. Here, we hope to highlight the most exciting movies premiering at Cannes. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (James Mangold)

In the eagerly anticipated conclusion to the Indiana Jones saga, Harrison Ford returns for his final outing as the beloved adventurer in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. James Mangold, known for his acclaimed films such as Walk the Line and Logan, takes the directorial reins from Steven Spielberg for this final instalment.

The narrative centres on an ageing Indy, who is called back into action when his goddaughter, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, entangles him in a dangerous quest to find a mysterious dial with the power to alter history. The cast also includes Antonio Banderas and Mads Mikkelsen, adding to the film’s allure.

Harrison Ford’s final farewell to the character that has captivated audiences for decades promises high-octane adventure, classic Indy heroics, and some expectedly thrilling time-travel twists. Prepare for plane jumps, subway horse rides, and tuk-tuk rooftop chases that are bound to satisfy the franchise’s long-time fans.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the first film in the series not directed by Spielberg or penned by George Lucas. Set for a wide release on June 30th, this film is undoubtedly one of the summer’s most anticipated blockbusters, making its premiere at Cannes highly anticipated for both filmmakers and fans.

Killers of the Flower Moon (Martin Scorsese)

The epic neo-western Killers of the Flower Moon by legendary director Martin Scorsese is making its grand debut at Cannes this year. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Brendan Fraser, this film has been years in the making, and expectations are sky-high.

Based on the best-selling book by David Grann, the film explores a devastating chapter in American history: the systematic murder of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma during the 1920s following the discovery of oil on their land. DiCaprio and De Niro join forces for the first time under Scorsese’s direction, bringing the tragic saga of a marginalised community to life.

The film is as much a testament to Scorsese’s directorial prowess as a poignant insight into a piece of American history that remains blisteringly relevant. With a massive production budget and a runtime of 206 minutes, the film promises an immersive journey into the midwestern Great Plains and the exploitation of its indigenous communities.

Rumoured to be three hours and 45 minutes long, Killers of the Flower Moon is a cinematic marathon, promising to be an enduring tale of crime, power, and the fight for justice. Anticipation is mounting for Scorsese’s first collaboration with Apple TV+; the film is expected to have a 45-day exclusive theatrical release in North America before it becomes available on the streaming platform. With its high-profile cast and Scorsese at the helm, Killers of the Flower Moon stands as a strong contender for awards season and a major cinematic event of the year.

Occupied City (Steve McQueen)

Acclaimed British director Steve McQueen, renowned for his works such as Shame and 12 Years a Slave, is making a triumphant return to the Croisette this year with his first feature-length documentary, Occupied City. Based on the illustrated book “Atlas of an Occupied City: Amsterdam 1940-1945” by his wife Bianca Stigter, the documentary is a deeply moving exploration of Amsterdam under the heavy hand of Nazi occupation during the second world war.

Clocking in at a staggering 270 minutes, Occupied City promises to be an epic historical narrative of devastation and resilience. McQueen’s documentary, a departure from his traditional scripted work, is both his homage to and critique of his adopted hometown of Amsterdam. Through a careful juxtaposition of Amsterdam’s troubled past and its challenging recent years of pandemic and protest, he offers a visual essay that is both life-affirming and devastating. Expect to be thoroughly immersed in this tale of survival and resistance. McQueen’s next scripted movie Blitz will remain within the World War II theme.

Close Your Eyes (Victor Erice)

Acclaimed Spanish director Victor Erice is returning to Cannes with his comeback opus, Close Your Eyes (Cerrar Los Ojos). Known for his masterful film work, Erice presents an intricate story of mystery and suspense spanning decades. Close Your Eyes dives into the enigmatic disappearance of Julio Arenas, a renowned Spanish actor, during a film shoot, leaving behind a puzzle that haunts the industry. 

With a much-anticipated 169-minute runtime, the film is a testament to Erice’s passion for in-depth storytelling. As a director who previously won the Jury Prize at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, Erice has a reputation for creating captivating cinema.

Kubi (Takeshi Kitano)

Renowned Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker Takeshi Kitano graces the Cannes Film Festival this year with what-seems-to-be his final directorial venture, Kubi. An adaptation of Kitano’s 2019 novel of the same name, Kubi is a period-action movie offering a fictional retelling of the Honnō-ji Incident—an event that shook Japan in 1582 when warlord Oda Nobunaga was assassinated in a Kyoto temple.

The story is filled with historical figures. These include Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a Nobunaga retainer who seeks to avenge his master’s death, and Sorori Shinzaemon, a Hideyoshi attendant celebrated for his intellect. Before the Honnō-ji Incident, Shinzaemon captures Araki Murashige, a general accused of betraying Nobunaga. The film revolves around the tension surrounding Murashige’s fate, with Nobunaga aiming to sever his neck as retribution.

The film promises an immersive plunge into medieval Japan’s fascinating history while providing intense and engaging action scenes. The anticipation for Kubi is high, not just for its historical retelling and engaging action but also as a farewell gift from Takeshi Kitano to the directorial world.

Eureka (Lisandro Alonso)

Lisandro Alonso’s Eureka marks the director’s much-anticipated return to the cinematic stage after a nine-year gap since Jauja. This ambitious film promises to provide an in-depth look at global indigenous communities and stars Viggo Mortensen, Chiara Mastroianni, and Iranian filmmaker Rafi Pitts, among others. According to Alonso, Eureka is his most complex film yet, offering viewers different interpretations and uncertain conclusions.

Man In Black (Wang Bing)

Directed by Wang Bing, Man in Black is a special screening at Cannes that takes a deep dive into the life of 86-year-old Wang Xilin, one of China’s most important modern classical composers. Living in exile in Germany, Xilin’s life, filled with suffering and resilience during China’s Cultural Revolution, is presented to audiences in a vivid 60-minute film.

In collaboration with renowned French cinematographer Caroline Champetier, Man in Black paints a moving portrait of Xilin’s life during the 1960s, a time when intellectuals were forced into the fields, middle classes were stripped of their wealth, and individuals like Xilin faced beatings, imprisonment, and torture. The film examines a man scarred by suffering.

The film uses excerpts from Xilin’s symphonies to revisit the horrifying events of his past, which continue to haunt his memory. It is a poignant testimony to an era. Man in Black offers audiences a glimpse into a man’s soul who, despite a life marked by pain and hardship, is still capable of profound empathy and compassion.

Pictures of Ghosts (Kleber Mendonca Filho)

The third film by Kleber Mendonça Filho to premiere at Cannes, following the success of Bacurau, and Aquarius, is Pictures of Ghosts, an intriguing blend of archive documentary, mystery, film clips, and personal memories. Set in Recife, a city on Brazil’s northeastern coast, the film explores the urban landscape’s impact on social practices and personal experiences.

Pictures of Ghosts is a multidimensional journey through time, sound, architecture, and filmmaking, highlighting the city’s geography from a personal viewpoint. The film pays homage to Recife’s vibrant cinema culture, featuring its grand cinematic palace, São Luiz. It’s a testament to the city’s enduring passion for cinema, which resonates globally.

Emilie Lesclaux, the film’s producer, emphasises its uniqueness in contrast to Filho’s previous fictional works presented at Cannes, yet maintains a personal touch similar to Aquarius and Bacurau.

The New Boy (Warwick Thornton)

In Warwick Thornton’s new film, The New Boy, Oscar-nominated actress Cate Blanchett plays a renegade nun managing a remote Australian monastery in the 1940s. The arrival of a nine-year-old Aboriginal orphan, portrayed by the captivating newcomer Aswan Reid, disrupts the delicate equilibrium of her world.

Thornton, an Indigenous Australian filmmaker, uses the setting to delve into the themes of colonialism, spiritual struggles, and survival. The film, set to premiere at Cannes, is anticipated to be a gripping exploration of human endurance and resilience in the face of adversity.

Strange Way of Life (Pedro Almodovar)

Celebrated Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar is back in Cannes with another promising release, the queer western Strange Way of Life. This short film features Hollywood stars Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, dressed exclusively in Saint Laurent, in a compelling narrative set in the American West. The pair portrays a sheriff and a rancher who reunite decades after working together as hired gunslingers, rekindling memories of an entangled past.

Almodóvar is known for his artful storytelling, and the short film promises plenty of surprises and a sensitive exploration of contemporary masculinity. After The Human Voice, Strange Way of Life marks Almodóvar’s second English-language short film. The film is also notable as the first to debut under the banner of designer Saint Laurent’s newly established film production label.

The Book of Solutions (Michel Gondry)

“The Book of Solutions, directed by Michel Gondry, takes audiences on a journey into the life of Marc, a director whose life and career are in chaos. To recover his lost creativity, Marc brings his film crew to the small village in Cévennes, where his aunt, Denise, lives. Inspired by the rustic life, Marc brings new ideas and writes ‘The Book of Solutions’— a book filled with advice.

The film is set to be screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere on May 21, 2023. French distribution of the film will be managed by The Jokers, with Kinology handling the international sales.

French star Pierre Niney, known for films like Frantz, Yves Saint Laurent, and the upcoming Mascarade, leads the cast in this comedy. The supporting cast includes Blanche Gardin, Camille Rutherford, Frankie Wallach, and Vincent Elbaz, all under the production of Georges Berman. This film marks Gondry’s return to directing after a seven-year hiatus. It offers an intriguing exploration of overcoming creative struggles, making it one of the most anticipated films at the festival.

In Our Day (Hong Sang-soo)

South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo’s In Our Day is set to close the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar of the Cannes Festival. Sang-soo is recognised for his prolific work, having already released another feature this year, In Water, which played in the Encounters section at Berlin in February. His distinct minimalistic style, focus on female characters, and oblique references to the media industry remain a constant in his filmography, and In Our Day seems to follow in this vein.

The film, set in Seoul, features two separate conversations— an actress solicited by an amateur and an elderly poet hosting a fan. Both conversations are replete with existential questions and distractions in the form of food, alcohol, guitar playing, and games. The actress contemplates quitting her career while the poet grapples with alcohol and tobacco withdrawal. The film presents an intimate look at the crucial aspects that make every day of our lives meaningful.

Sang-soo’s film stars Ki Joobong, known for his roles in Kill Boksoon and Daemuga, along with Kim Minhee, a regular in Sang-soo’s films such as The Novelist’s Film, The Woman Who Ran, and On The Beach At Night Alone“. Despite mixed opinions from critics, Sang-soo’s films have seen a revival at major European festivals, earning awards at Berlin and previous editions of Cannes. In Our Day presents yet another promising title in Sang-soo’s distinctive oeuvre.