Cannes 2015 - The Upcoming Films You Need To Look Out For

2015 marked the 68^th time that global superstars flocked to the French coast in celebration of both Independent and Studio film-making. 

Despite the aptly-named ‘Heel-gate’ controversy surrounding the sexist dress code applied to women (which resulted in many women being refused entry to certain screenings if they were not wearing high heels), it has been reported that multiple gems have emerged from the Cannes Film Festival, so join me to explore the highlights from this year's packed celebration...

Responsible for a large part of the critical buzz is ‘Carol’, an indy delight based on the acclaimed novel ‘The Price of Salt’ starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Set in the 1950s, ‘Carol’ explores the forbidden romance between shop assistant Therese (Mara) and the titular Carol (Blanchett). The film has since been picked up by The Weinstein Company for US distribution, a company well known for its ability to attain Oscar nominations and wins for the stars of the films it releases. For this reason, ‘Carol’ is already set to be an Oscar frontrunner, and one to watch come next February.

Also screening was the phenomenal ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult. I have had the chance to see this myself and cannot recommend it enough. The film explores gender politics and human instinct against the thrilling backdrop of the Australian desert, and is effectively a two-hour action sequence that truly never feels tired.

Disney Pixar’s latest, ‘Inside Out’, was also introduced at Cannes this year. Rumoured to be the best Pixar film to date, ‘Inside Out’ is the story of 11 year old Riley, who moves to San Francisco with her family. The majority of the film is set inside her head where the emotions Joy, Disgust, Fear, Anger and Sadness reside – Nina and the Neurons style, and when an accident sweeps Joy and Sadness into the far reaches of Riley’s mind, Anger, Fear and Disgust must take sole control.

Another animated film that delighted audiences at Cannes was ‘The Little Prince’, featuring the vocal talent of Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, James Franco, Paul Rudd and Ricky Gervais. This charming film revolves around a young girl who befriends a crazy old man, and The Little Prince, a small boy who travels the stars via comet with his only friend: a talking Fox.

However if animation isn’t your thing, do not fear. The moving and gritty documentary ‘AMY’ re-lives the extraordinary life of Amy Winehouse who perished to substance abuse in 2011. Marion Cotillard also stars in Justin Kurzel’s ultra-realistic MacBeth alongside Michael Fassbender of X-Men fame. This version of the beloved Shakespeare tale combines awe-inspiring cinematography with the immeasurable talent of Cotillard and Fassbender as Lady and Lord MacBeth, setting it up to be an
on-screen masterpiece.

Moreover, the director of March of the Penguins returned to Antarctica to bring us ‘Ice and the Sky’ – an environmental documentary that sets out to oppose climate change deniers with intimidating new evidence that seems point out our unsustainable culture as humans on Earth.

Be sure to keep an eye out for all the above films, as they will all be heading towards UK screens over the coming months, and for all of your movie news and information – keep it locked to JG Review.

James Green