Quinzaine 2021:

Five Most Anticipated Films

by KM, Movie Lightbox

The Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) is a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival. Its non-competitive aspect sets it apart, a festival on its own. Wide selections of film genres, formats and subjects have been showcased throughout the years at Quinzaine. Back in 2019, Robert Eggers’ gothic psychological horror film "The Lighthouse” starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe got huge attention from Fortnight attendees.

This year, 25 feature films were selected, 8 of them first feature films. Some notable titles in the lineup include Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir Part II”, Jonas Carpignano’s “A Chiara” and Alice Rohrwacher, Francesco Munzi and Pietro Marcello’s “Futura”. Here’s the list of our five most anticipated films:

Ali & Ava by Clio Barnard

Synopsis

Both lonely for different reasons, Ali and Ava meet through their shared affection for Sofia (six years old), the child of Ali’s Slovakian tenants, whom Ava teaches.  Ali finds comfort in Ava’s warmth and kindness and Ava finds Ali’s complexity and humour irresistible.  Over a lunar month, sparks fly and a deep connection begins to grow.  However, the legacy of Ava’s past relationship and Ali’s emotional turmoil at the breakdown of his marriage begins to overshadow their newfound passion.

Hit The Road (Jadde Khaki) by Panah Panahi

Synopsis

A chaotic, tender family is on a road trip across a rugged landscape, but to where? In the back seat, Dad has a broken leg, but is it really broken? Mom tries to laugh when she’s not holding back tears. The kid keeps exploding into choreographed car karaoke. All of them are fussing over the sick dog and getting on each others’ nerves.

Only the mysterious older brother is quiet.

Medusa by Anita Rocha da Silveira

Synopsis

Today, Brazil.
Mariana, 21 years old, belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, the girl squad put on masks, hunt and beat up all women who have deviated from the right path.
However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been…

The Tsugua Diaries (Diarios de Otsoga) by Maureen Fazendeiro & Miguel Gomes

Synopsis

Crista, Carloto and João are building an airy greenhouse for butterflies in the garden. The three of them share household routines, day after day… And they are not the only ones.

The Legend of King Crab (Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis)

Synopsis

Italy, today. Some elderly hunters reminisce about the tale of Luciano. 

Luciano lives as a wandering drunkard in a village of Tuscia. Spiteful actions ensue between him and the local prince over the right of passage through a gateway. Fueled by passions and jealousy, Luciano commits the unforgivable. Now an unfortunate criminal, Luciano is exiled to the distant Tierra del Fuego where, with the help of ruthless gold-diggers, he searches for a mythical treasure, paving his way towards redemption.

Directors’ Fortnight runs from July 7 - 16.

Poster and images courtesy of Directors’ Fortnight