Cannes Film Festival – 40th Directors’ Fortnight

The Cannes Film Festival‘s 40th Directors’ Fortnight, announced Friday in Paris. Twelve of the 22 films are either French pics or co-productions. There is also a good showing from Spain and Latin America, with five films. Just one U.S. pic will be presented at the Directors’ Fortnight, “The Pleasure of Being Robbed,” which closes the section. Like the Official Selection and Critics’ Week, the section focuses on rising talent, with a particular emphasis on European filmmaking. Directors’ Fortnight opens with “Four Nights With Anna,” the return to filmmaking of celebrated Polish auteur Jerzy Skolimowski. International rights on the film, Skolimowski’s first since 1991’s “30 Door Key,” have been taken by Paris-based sales company Elle Driver.

“Four Nights With Anna” chronicles one man’s voyeuristic relationship with a woman. Shot in Poland, “Anna” stars Polish thesps Kinga Preis and Artur Steranko. Pic is produced by Paolo Branco and Skolimowski. Since 1991, Skolimowski has dedicated his time to painting and acting, appearing as Uncle Stepan in David Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises.” The section bows May 15, one day after the main festival, and runs through May 25. DIRECTORS’ FORTNIGHT “Four Nights With Anna,” France-Poland, Jerzy Skolimowski (opener) “The Pleasure of Being Robbed,” U.S., Josh Safdie (closer) “Acne,” Uruguay-Spain-Argentina-Mexico, Federico Veiroj “Aquele querido mes de agosto,” Portugal-France, Miguel Gomes “Boogie,” Romania, Radu Muntean “Les Bureaux de Dieu,” France, Claire Simon “El Cant dels ocells,” Spain, Albert Serra “De la guerre,” France, Bertrand Bonello “Le Dernier Maquis,” France-Algeria, Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche “Eldorado,” Belgium-France, Bouli Lanners “Eleve libre,” Belgium-France, Joachim Lafosse “Liverpool,” Argentina-France-Netherlands-Spain-Germany, Lisandro Alonso “Monsieur Morimoto,” France, Nicola Sornaga “Knitting,” China, Yin Lichuan “Now Showing,” Philippines-France, Raya Martin “Il Resto della notte,” Italy, Francesco Munzi “Salamandra,” Argentina-France-Germany, Pablo Aguero “Shultes,” Russia, Bakur Bakuradze “Blind Loves,” Slovakia, Juraj Lehotsky “Lonely Tune of Tehran,” Iran, Saman Salour “Tony Manero,” Chile-Brazil, Pablo Larrain “Le Voyage aux Pyrenees,” France, Jean-Marie Larrieu, Arnaud Larrieu