Cannes 2023 had high expectations following the previous year's standout films like Anora and Emilia Perez. This year's films largely focused on compelling narratives about political cruelty and familial issues, including Jafar Panahi's 'A Simple Accident' and Kleber Mendonca Filho's 'The Secret Agent.' Some major directors faced criticism, particularly Julia Ducournau for her confusing entry 'Alpha.' Notably, Sergei Loznitsa's 'Two Prosecutors' emerged as a powerful commentary on existential despair. Overall, while many films impressed, lapses in storytelling were evident among even established filmmakers.
Cannes this year had a lot to live up to after last year's award-winners, headline-grabbers and social media meltdowners like Anora and The Substance.
This year's vintage feels good—often excellent—although even the biggest names can get it wrong, as evidenced by Julia Ducournau's incoherent drama Alpha.
Sergei Loznitsa's Two Prosecutors stands out for its grandeur of existential evil, depicting despair with Dostoyevskian and Kafkaesque moments during the Stalin 30s.
The films showcased at Cannes this year often reflect on political themes, with strong narratives centered around tyranny, cruelty, and familial neglect.
Collection
[
|
...
]