63rd Cannes Critics' Week Unveils Lineup, Opens with Jonathan Millet's 'Ghost Trail'

Ghost Trail (Les Fantômes) (courtesy La Semaine de la Critique)

Ghost Trail (Les Fantômes) directed by Jonathan Millet — Ghost Trail (Les Fantômes) (courtesy La Semaine de la Critique)

The psychological thriller Ghost Trail (Les Fantômes) from French director Jonathan Millet will open the 63rd Cannes Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique) taking place May 15th – 23rd, 2024. In his first feature, Millet’s Ghost Trail starring French-Tunisian actor Adam Bessa tells the story of a war criminal hunted down by one of his victims who never saw his oppressor’s face, but knows his smell, his voice, and his skin.

The 63rd edition will close with Animale, French director Emma Benestan’s second feature starring Oulaya Amamra, which offers a new take on the myth of the beast, a film at the crossroads between western, slasher, body horror, and revenge film, in the heart of the Camargue.

In total, the event has selected 11 feature films, 7 in competition and 4 in special screenings; and 13 short films.

This year’s special screening includes French cinema – La mer au loin (Across the Sea) and Les Reines du drame (Queens of Drama).

First, French-Moroccan director Saïd Hamich Benlarbi’s second feature film La mer au loin (Across the Sea) ; a graceful melodrama, set in the 90s to the tune of Raï music, depicts the clandestine life of a Moroccan immigrant in Marseille over a decade. Starring in the film are Grégoire Colin, Anna Mouglalis, and the young, promising Ayoub Gretaa.

Second, Les Reines du drame (Queens of Drama), French director Alexis Langlois’ first feature is a glittery, vibrant love letter to cinema and its history, its styles and genres, through the story of two competing singers in love with one another and who must face the tyranny of show business. Starring are Louiza Aura and Gio Venture. With Bilal Hassani, Asia Argento, and Alma Jodorowsky.

Locust, Taiwanese director KEFF’s first feature, takes us to 2019 Taiwan, in the midst of working-class protests, among disillusioned youths drawn to guns and gangs.

Julie zwijgt (Julie Keeps Quiet), Belgian director Leonardo Van Dijl’s first feature, is the fine, nuanced portrait of a tennis player with nerves of steel, who is forced to speak out by her club when her coach comes under investigation.

Simon de la montaña (Simon of the Mountain), in his exceptionally insightful first feature, Argentinian director Federico Luis challenges our outlook on disability.

Baby, Brazilian director Marcelo Caetano’s second feature film is a delightfully romantic queer drama and vibrant portrait of a young outsider trying to survive in São Paolo.

Blue Sun Palace, American director Constance Tsang’s first feature is the bittersweet chronicle of the tumultuous destiny of Chinese immigrants living in Queens starring Lee Kang-sheng – Tsai Ming-liang’s favorite actor.

Rafaat einy ll sama (The Brink of Dreams), second feature film by Egyptian directors Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir is a fascinating documentary of a group of women who intend to live their hopes and dreams without men’s consent.

La Pampa (Block Pass), French director Antoine Chevrollier’s first feature, sets the scene from the outset: sports, virility, and masculinity in a rural setting.

The feature films selection of 63rd Cannes Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique)