Sachin Chatte
Cannes has always occupied a special place in the cinematic landscape as the preferred launchpad for filmmakers unveiling their latest work. There are, of course, several other prestigious festivals—Berlin, Venice and Toronto among them. But Cannes continues to exert a unique pull and prestige that few can match. This year’s edition once again showcased an impressive range of cinema, from intimate character studies and historical dramas to ambitious genre films and socially conscious storytelling.
Having watched all 22 films in competition, along with several titles from the festival’s parallel sections, here is a look at some of the films that stood out and are likely to make their way to theatres or festivals near you in the coming months:
Fatherland- Pawel Pawlikowski’s film is a visually striking black-and-white drama inspired by the life of German author Thomas Mann. Set in post-war Germany, the film follows Mann’s return from exile and uses his relationship with his daughter Erika to explore questions of memory, responsibility and national identity. Blending personal conflicts with larger historical realities, the film reaffirmed Pawlikowski’s reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s finest stylists and he was the joint winner as Best Director in the competition.
Parallel Tales- Asghar Farhadi’s film received a mix response. Set in Paris, it follows a writer who becomes fascinated by the lives of people she observes across the street, gradually blurring the line between imagination and reality. Combining elements of mystery, psychological drama and self-reflexive storytelling, the film demonstrated Farhadi’s continued interest in moral ambiguity and
human behaviour.
All of a Sudden- A personal favourite, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s film emerged as one of the festival’s most emotionally affecting works. The film centres on the friendship between the director of a care home and a Japanese theatre director living in Paris. Through conversations about life, mortality, democracy and human relationships, Hamaguchi crafts a deeply humane and reflective work that unfolds with patience and extraordinary emotional resonance. Both the actress, Virginie Efira and Tao Okamato won Best Actress.
Fjord – Cristian Mungiu’s film tackled the sensitive issue of state intervention in family life. Inspired by a real case involving child protection authorities in Norway, the film follows a family whose children are taken away following allegations of abuse. Rather than taking sides, Mungiu examines competing notions of morality, parenting and personal freedom, creating a complex drama that encourages debate long after the credits roll. Much to the surprise of many, it won the Palm d’Or, the top prize at the festival.
Minotaur – Andrey Zvyagintsev’s marked a powerful return for the Russian filmmaker. Set against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the film combines crime, infidelity and political commentary through the story of a wealthy businessman whose moral compromises gradually come into focus. As both a character study and a reflection on power, greed and opportunism, the film demonstrated Zvyagintsev’s ability to weave multiple themes into a compelling narrative. It won the Grand Prix and the director gave a stirring speech directed at Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
Hope – Providing a sharp contrast to the more introspective competition titles was Na Hong-Jin’s ‘Hope’, a large-scale science-fiction thriller involving a mysterious extraterrestrial threat in a coastal town. Combining relentless action, suspense and impressive technical craftsmanship, the film delivered pure spectacle without sacrificing directorial control. It stood out as one of the festival’s most entertaining and
ambitious crowd-pleasers.
Elephants in the Fog – Nepal made history with this film, the first from Nepal to be selected in the Un Certain Regard section. Directed by Abhinash Bikram Shah, the film is set within Nepal’s Kinnar community and follows a transgender leader searching for a missing young woman she considers family. Blending mystery, social observation and emotional drama, the film approaches its characters with remarkable empathy while exploring themes of identity, belonging and resilience. Its emotional depth and cultural specificity made it one of the section’s most memorable entries and it won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma- Working within the horror-comedy genre, Jane Schoenbrun combines absurd humour, stylised gore and biting satire to create a film that feels both playful and provocative. Featuring memorable performances from Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder, the film uses genre conventions to examine contemporary anxieties while maintaining an irreverent sense of fun.
