Meet the fresh faces behind the camera at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where three actors made their directorial debuts in a mix of drama, comedy, and social realism.
Three actors made their directorial debuts at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, showcasing their unique styles and sensibilities in a mix of drama, comedy, and social realism.
The Cannes Film Festival is an annual event held in Cannes, France, showcasing new films from around the world.
Established in 1939, it is one of the most prestigious film festivals globally.
The festival features a competitive selection of films, with awards given for 'Best Director' , 'Best Actor' , and 'Best Screenplay' .
It also includes out-of-competition screenings, retrospectives, and tributes to renowned filmmakers.
The Palme d'Or, awarded to the best film in competition, is considered the highest honor in cinema.
Kristen Stewart‘s ‘The Chronology of Water’
Kristen Stewart‘s debut as a filmmaker is a reflection of her own personal struggles and emotions. The film is ‘all Kristen Stewart—and might arguably be the most Kristen Stewart movie ever made’: aggressively aggrieved, almost comically confrontational, and hyperventilating with an in-your-face attitude that belies a self-consciously juvenile insecurity. While it delivers genuinely harrowing shocks, the drama also features moments that feel over-thought and over-wrought.
Kristen Stewart is an American actress born on April 9, 1990, in Los Angeles, California.
She rose to fame with her role as Bella Swan in the Twilight Saga film series.
Stewart began her acting career at a young age and made her screen debut in 1999.
She has since appeared in various films, including Panic Room and Clouds of Sils Maria, for which she received critical acclaim.
According to Forbes, Stewart's net worth is estimated to be over $70 million.
Despite these criticisms, the film’s strongest parts are its character reveals, particularly those quieter moments when ‘The Chronology of Water’ finds the path to redemption by writing her way out of personal oblivion. Stewart‘s dogged devotion to the source material shines through in a way that signals a major filmmaking talent.
Scarlett Johannson‘s ‘Eleanor the Great’
Scarlett Johannson‘s debut is more of a test run than a full-throated attempt to become an auteur. It feels like a project inspired by her 94-year-old lead actor, June Squibb. The film is modest in style but emotionally rich, a comic drama about a Floridian retiree who moves back to New York City after the death of her best friend and struggles with loneliness.
Johannson trusts Squibb to carry the film, letting the actor’s genial nature lead a light-hearted story into sadder depths. The film is ultimately about friendship, grief, and forgiveness—a message that feels particularly relevant in today’s society.
Harris Dickinson‘s ‘Urchin’
Harris Dickinson‘s debut is a searing and startlingly mature piece of social realism. His look at the self-destructive patterns of a young man on the fringes of East London feels fully formed, confident in its plot points and performances, and strikingly restrained in its direction.
Harris Dickinson is a British actor born on January 1, 1996, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
He gained recognition for his role as Kaya in the 2019 film 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.'
Dickinson's breakthrough performance earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020.
He has also appeared in films like 'Beach Rats' and 'The Darkest Universe.' With his rising fame, Dickinson is considered one of the most promising young actors in Hollywood.
The film is not just about Dickinson‘s acting acumen but also his storytelling, which builds confidently and irreversibly towards tragedy. Despite some similarities to iconic kitchen-sink miserabilists like Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, Dickinson‘s approach feels more like a successor to these directors than an imitator.
A Promising New Voice in the Making
The Cannes Film Festival has given us three actors-turned-directors who are making waves in the film industry. With their unique styles and sensibilities, they are bringing a fresh perspective to storytelling. As they continue to grow and develop as filmmakers, it will be exciting to see what they have in store for us.
