Films by Cronenberg father and son, Xavier Dolan head to Cannes Film Festival
Posted Apr 19, 2012 04:20:29 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MONTREAL – David Cronenberg and his director son Brandon lead a strong Canadian contingent headed to the Cannes Film Festival this year.
They join Quebec phenom Xavier Dolan who returns to the prestigious Paris showcase with his gender-bending drama “Laurence Anyways.”
Cronenberg’s thriller “Cosmopolis,” starring “Twilight” heart throb Robert Pattinson, will compete for the coveted Palme d’Or.
Meanwhile, the debut film by Cronenberg’s son Brandon, “Antiviral,” will compete in the Un Certain Regard category, which features work by young and innovative directors.
“Antiviral” will face off against “Laurence Anyways” from Dolan, who returns to the festival for the third time.
In 2009, his debut film “I Killed My Mother” won three prizes. In 2010, his second film, “Heartbeats,” also premiered at Cannes as part of Un Certain Regard.
Dolan couldn’t hide the fact that he was initially disappointed upon learning that ”Laurence Anyways” was not in the running for the Palme d’Or.
”It wasn’t exactly the news we were hoping for, so there’s obviously some level of disappointment,” the 23-year-old told a news conference in Montreal.
”But it’s still an official selection, it’s the most popular event in world cinema, and it’s still an honour for me.”
Dolan said his history at the French film festival leaves him with no choice but to attend the event.
”Cannes was my first real contact with cinema,” he said. ”That’s where I was really born as a director.”
The Cannes Film Festival runs May 16 to 27.
