For the first second time in history, Cannes will open with a film directed a woman. Variety reports that Cannes this year will open with Emmanuelle Bercot’s La Tete Haute. I was happy to see enthusiasm for this choice from Variety’s Guy Lodge on Twitter but I suspect it will cause some stirrings in the other direction elsewhere.
“The film, which is being sold by Elle Driver and distributed in France by Wild Bunch, follows the experience of a juvenile delinquent named Malony from ages 6 to 18, with Deneuve playing a judge trying to intervene. It’s Deneuve’s second collaboration with Bercot after “On My Way,” which premiered in competition at the 2013 Berlin Film Festival.”
Variety also notes that La Tete Haute may or may not premiere out of competition. The full lineup is announced Wednesday the 16th. Breakout has a history with acting but also earned a spot at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard with Clement in 2001.
Ah Cannes, where women are actually people.
![2025 Oscars: Can a Late-Breaker Still Win Best Picture? [POLL]](https://www.awardsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gladiator-350x250.jpg)
thanks for this. we’re off to Paris and will look for this film. It will be fun to see posters for it on the street.
This is great news. I’m glad that Cannes is still making themselves one of the most relevant platforms to introduce to the world to new cinema.
I just hope that the movie is great.