The Cannes Film Festival unveiled today the lineup for the official competition for its 69th edition, which includes the world premiere of Aquarius by Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho (pictured left) as the only Latin American film contender.
This is Mendonça Filho's first time participating at Cannes' main competition, and the first time a Brazilian filmmaker participates in the festival's main slate since Walter Salles in 2012 with his adaptation of On the Road.
Mendonça Filho’s follow up to his acclaimed debut feature Neighboring Sounds / O som ao redor stars Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman) as Clara, a65-year-old retired, widowed music writer, and alone in the apartment building Aquarius after her three grown children have moved away. Oh, and she’s mastered the gift of time travel.
Cannes also unveiled the lineup for its Un Certain Regard Section with also one Latin American contender, the Argentinean film La larga noche de Francisco Sanctis / Francisco Sanctis’s Long Night, the debut feature by Francisco Márquez and Andrea Testa.
Set in 1977 during the Argentinean military dictatorship, the film tells the story of Francisco Sanctis who works as an administrative employee. One afternoon, his old schoolmate Elena contacts him to give hime two names and addresses. The army will find these people and will kidnap them. Francisco begins his long night wondering whether trying to save the lives of two unknown people at the risk of his own life.
The 69th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place May 11-22 in France.
