Serra's vision of the Sun King at Cannes
The prestigious film festival in the south of France selects the Catalan director's portrayal of the final years of Louis XIV for the 69th edition, along with Almodóvar, Allen and Jarmusch
The Cannes film festival has always been good to Catalan director, Albert Serra, boosting the quirky filmmaker's international profile by featuring such films of his as Honor de cavalleria and El cant dels ocells in previous editions of the prestigious cinema festival. This year is no different, as Serra's latest production, La mort de Lluís XIV, will also feature in the 2016 edition of the festival.
Cannes announced its final selection of films for inclusion in the 69th edition of the festival at the end of last month. Apart from Serra, Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar's Julieta has also been chosen, as has Woody Allen, whose Café Society will open the cinema fest. Other big names from the world of cinema who will also be present are Jim Jarmusch, the Dardenne brothers, Sean Penn, Paul Verhoeven and Cristian Mungiu, all of whose films will be competing for the Palme d'Or award.
Mournful portrayal
As for Serra, his film about the final years of Louis XIV' life has been selected for the Special Sessions section of the festival, which will also be the premiere of the film starring French actor Jean-Pierre Léaud in the lead role. According to what Serra told the Efe news agency following the announcement of the production's inclusion, the film is “somewhat mournful”, focusing as it does on the final fortnight of the Sun King's life. Serra, who has been completing the process of post-production for the film, explained that it is “a long-standing project”, which began as a small commission for a performance from the Pompidou Centre that “has ended up evolving into a full-length narrative drama.” Serra portrays Louis as someone who, “despite being a king, has to face death with all its physical, human and spiritual consequences.”
Almodóvar's fifth film
Meanwhile, Almodóvar also expressed his satisfaction on hearing that his new film will compete for the prestigious Cannes award, the fifth of his productions to make the trip to the swanky resort in the south of France. The director described himself as “very happy” to take part in a festival that “continues to celebrate auteur film”. Talking to the Europa Press news agency, the Spanish filmmaker predicted: “Going by the titles and authors selected, it will be a great edition.”
The Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 11 to 22, and will also present the latest work by the likes of Steven Spielberg, Jodie Foster, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Rithy Panh.