In 1938, the world of cinema was forever changed. Three visionaries, Jean Zay, Phillippe Erlanger, and Robert Favre Le Bret, laid the foundation stone for what would become the epitome of global film recognition – the Cannes Film Festival. Over the years, renowned filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, and David Lynch have graced the Cannes Jury, bringing their expertise to select the film world’s shining stars. The festival has been the birthplace of timeless artistic films, etching their mark in the annals of cinema history. As the curtain is set to rise on the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, we eagerly anticipate the premieres of much-awaited films like Killers of the Flower Moon (Martin Scorsese), Asteroid City (Wes Anderson), and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (James Mangold).
The Square
2017 was a landmark year for Cannes as The Square clinched the coveted Palme d’Or. This masterpiece delves into the enigmatic art world, focusing on a curator named Christian (Claes Bang) who navigates through controversies and relationships while promoting an art exhibit. The Square is an intriguing exploration of themes such as freedom of expression and greed, depicted through scenes of captivating chaos that grip the viewer from the first frame to the last. By Ruben Östlund.
Aftersun
Aftersun, a nostalgic ode to the past, paints a vivid picture of a 90s holiday in Turkey, shot through the familiar lens of a time-worn Hi8 camcorder. A coming-of-age tale of a father-daughter relationship grappling with the silent struggle of a single father, it features compelling performances by Paul Mescal and debutant Frankie Corio. Their authenticity illuminates Charlotte Wells’ sun-drenched canvas, making Aftersun irresistibly engaging.
The Tree Of Life
Terrence Malik’s magnum opus, The Tree of Life, premiered at Cannes in 2011, taking viewers on a transcendent journey through life, nature, and the cosmos. Set in a small Texas town, the film’s narrative interweaves the complexity of family dynamics with awe-inspiring visuals and groundbreaking cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki. Winning the Palme d’Or, the film’s brilliance was recognized with three Academy Award nominations.
The Pianist
Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, premiered at Cannes in 2002, is a haunting tale of survival during the Holocaust. Winning the Palme d’Or and later the Oscar, the film tells the true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman, played by Adrien Brody in his career-best performance. A brutal yet magnificent portrayal of the human will to survive, The Pianist is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of profound loss.
Barton Fink
1991 saw the Cannes premiere of Barton Fink, the Coen Brothers’ lesser-known yet brilliant black comedy. The narrative explores the life of Barton Fink, a successful playwright-turned-screenwriter, who battles writer’s block in a dingy motel room while wrestling with the disillusionment of Hollywood. This Palme d’Or-winning film expertly threads the line between humor and despair, making it an unsung cinematic gem.
Blue is the Warmest Color
The Palme d’Or-winning film, Blue is the Warmest Color, premiered at Cannes in 2013, captivating audiences with its raw portrayal of love and time’s erosive effect on it. Heart-wrenching performances by Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos breathe life into the film, leaving viewers emotionally exhausted yet profoundly moved by the end.
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men, the Coen Brothers’ magnum opus from 2007, is a testament to filmmaking prowess. This neo-Western crime thriller unfolds the gripping tale of Llewelyn Moss, who becomes the target of a relentless pursuit after he stumbles upon a botched drug deal. The film, with Javier Bardem’s chilling performance, went on to claim four Academy Awards and still reigns supreme among cinephiles, long after its 2017 Cannes premiere.
Boyz N The Hood
John Singleton’s directorial debut, Boyz N The Hood, made waves in the Un Certain Regard category in 1991. A powerful narrative of 90’s LA gang culture, the film garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. Singleton’s path-breaking work earned him an Academy Award nomination, making him the first African American and the youngest person to be nominated for Best Director.
Apocalypse Now
Before its official release, Apocalypse Now was awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1979. This epic Vietnam War film by Francis Ford Coppola stands as one of the greatest war films ever made, showcasing outstanding performances and groundbreaking visuals.
Taxi Driver
Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver premiered at Cannes in 1976, marking a turning point in the director’s career. The film, a raw portrayal of a war veteran’s descent into violence, stands as one of the most influential films in cinema history.
Up
Making history as the first animated film to open the Cannes Film Festival, Pixar’s Up is a heartwarming tale of adventure and imagination. This Academy Award-winning film is set to make a triumphant return to Cannes in 2023 with the premiere of Elmenetal.
Parasite
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, the first South Korean film to win the Palme d’Or, offers a brutal depiction of capitalism’s ruthlessness and class disparity. Premiering at Cannes in 2019, it later made history by winning the Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Pulp Fiction
In 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, a genre-defining film, premiered at Cannes, earning the Palme d’Or amidst a mixed reception. Pulp Fiction not only solidified Tarantino’s reputation as an iconic filmmaker but also reignited the careers of its stellar cast. Nearly three decades later, the film continues to captivate audiences, making it a timeless classic.
Anora
Sean Baker’s neon‑lit Cinderella riff became the talk of the Croisette—and ultimately walked away with the 2024 Palme d’Or. Mikey Madison headlines as a Brooklyn lap‑dancer who impulsively marries a Russian oligarch’s wayward son, then discovers there’s nothing fairytale‑like about in‑laws with private armies. Baker’s trademark empathy for hustlers on society’s margins gets a bruising, funny, and unexpectedly tender upgrade, powered by Yura Borisov’s deadpan turn as the nouveau riche groom. International critics hailed it as the ‘Pretty Woman for the late‑20s recession’, and Oscar voters followed suit with six nominations, cementing Anora as one of Cannes’ most accessible yet subversive winners.
All We Imagine as Light
Payal Kapadia made history as the first Indian filmmaker in three decades to compete for the Palme d’Or—then left with the Grand Prix for this quietly radiant Mumbai-set drama. Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha play nurses whose cramped apartment and overworked shifts can’t dim the glow of chosen sisterhood. Kapadia’s lyrical blend of urban bustle and seaside reverie turned heads, landing the film on Sight & Sound’s year‑end poll and earning Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Best International Film. It’s a gentle marvel that proves Cannes still has room for small stories told with cosmic grace.
Grand Tour
Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes collected Best Director for this 16mm fever dream that turns a broken engagement in 1918 Rangoon into a globe‑trotting, time‑bending travelogue. Leads Gonçalo Waddington and Crista Alfaiate chase each other across colonial Asia while Gomes splices documentary textures with silent‑era whimsy. It’s heady stuff, but the jury swooned—and Portugal submitted it for the Oscars soon after.
The Substance
Body‑horror meets satirical self‑care in Coralie Fargeat’s midnight‑black comedy, which nabbed Best Screenplay. Demi Moore yanks her career into third gear as an ageing action star who injects a biotech miracle promising a “better version” of herself; Margaret Qualley shows up as that better version, only slightly more monstrous. Think The Fly by way of Goop, and you’re halfway there. A cult classic in the making, plus a likely Original Screenplay contender come awards season.
I’m Still Here
Walter Salles’ Brazilian political drama technically premiered in Venice, but it made its big splash at Cannes’ Marché du Film, where Sony Classics snapped it up within hours. Fernanda Torres delivers an Oscar‑winning turn as Eunice Paiva, who becomes a human‑rights firebrand after her husband is abducted by Brazil’s 1970s dictatorship. The film went on to win Best International Feature and Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars, proving that even deals inked in backroom meetings on the Croisette can change cinema history.
Join us in celebrating the tales of these cinematic masterpieces as we anticipate what the 2025 Cannes Film Festival holds. Stay tuned and immerse yourself in the world of extraordinary cinema.
