First things first, I am absolutely puzzled by some on Twitter who have said that the Cannes Film Festival’s 2021 lineup is, on-paper, underwhelming. Are these folks actual cinephiles? How can you seriously complain about a lineup that includes the likes of Anderson, Baker, Carax, Verhoeven, Farhadi, Weerasethakul, and Audiard? I get it, American presence has been kept at a minimum this time around, it seems as though the major studios will be waiting it out until Venice and Toronto. That’s fine, Cannes was never supposed to be a U.S. showcase, it’s about the best of world cinema and this lineup has delivered on that front.
Conspicuously absent, and part of the ire of the disappointed, are Jane Campion’s “Power of Dog,” Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Chan Wook-Park’s “Decision to Leave,” Ruben Östlund‘s “Triangle of Sadness,” Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Soggy Bottom.” Then again, if you’ve been reading this column then you know those films were not going to show up.
As for my presence at this year’s festival, it’s all up in the air for now. As of this writing, France has not made up its mind regarding what’s required to enter the country. The longer they wait, the less likely North American media will make the trek to the Croisette. It’s obvious that this year’s attendance will lag when compared to previous editions, but Cannes is needed, the lineup is great and it’s imperative for the festival to go on as planned.
By the numbers; Only 4 out of the 24 films in competition are directed by women, a whopping 8 films are French or co-French productions, and 3 Former Palme d’Or winners are in competition.