Anora, Palme d’Or 2024, national premiere at Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest
The 15th edition will take place between October 25 and November 3 with over 50 screenings
Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest returns for its 15th edition between October 25 and November 3, offering Romanian audiences the chance to see the most recent and acclaimed films in world cinema, premiering in Romania.
In Bucharest, the screenings will take place at Cinema Elvire Popesco, Cineplexx Băneasa, Cinema Muzeul Țăranului, and the Auditorium Hall of the National Museum of Art of Romania. In the other cities, the festival will have local editions in Timișoara, Cluj, Iași, and Arad, bringing the magic of arthouse cinema closer to Romanian audiences.
In addition to over 50 screenings of the most anticipated art films, Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest will organize meetings and discussions with filmmakers and writers for the Romanian public, as well as professional events for actors, directors, screenwriters, and producers.
Anora, directed by Sean Baker, this year’s Palme d’Or winner, is already a strong contender for the Oscars, and American filmmaker Greta Gerwig, president of the Cannes jury, described it: “This film is magnificent, full of humanity (…) It broke our hearts.”
Anora tells the story of a young sex worker from Brooklyn who gets a Cinderella-like chance when she impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. However, once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened, and her new husband’s parents head to New York to annul the marriage. Directed by one of the most important American directors of the new generation, the film has been highly praised, especially for the nuanced and intense performance by actress Mikey Madison.
All We Imagine as Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, was awarded the Grand Prix at the festival, receiving the prize for its “emotional and meticulous exploration of themes related to love and the complex relationships that surround it.”
In Mumbai, the life of nurse Prabha is turned upside down when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. At the same time, her roommate Anu is searching for a place in the city where she can have more privacy with her boyfriend.
“All We Imagine as Light”, described by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian as “a miraculous film, waking you up as if from a dream”, is the first Indian film ever to win the Grand Prix at Cannes.
Emilia Perez, directed by Jacques Audiard (Palme d’Or for Dheepan), won the Jury Prize and Best Actress Award for the four actresses in the lead roles. Combining elements of thriller and musical, the film stars Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Adriana Paz. The film tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader, Juan “Manitas” Del Monte, and the surprising transformations he undergoes. The film stirred controversy at Cannes, as among the actresses who received the award for Best Actress was Karla Sofia Gascon, a transgender actress. Emilia Perez has been selected to represent France in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards. Following its premiere at Cannes 2024, Netflix acquired “Emilia Perez” for $12 million.
Miguel Gomes, known for Tabu, The Tsugua Diaries, and the Arabian Nights trilogy, returned to Cannes this year with a captivating film for which he was awarded the Best Director prize. The action of Grand Tour takes place in 1917, in Rangoon, Burma, following the story of Edward, a British clerk who runs away from his fiancée Molly on the very day she arrives to marry him. In an epic journey through Asia, Edward reflects on his life, while Molly follows in his footsteps, still dreaming of their postponed wedding and the future she had imagined.
“The true fascination of this film lies in the humidity you feel in the atmosphere, combined with the splendor of the East and Southeast Asian locations, urging you to embark on a journey from Singapore to Bangkok, Shanghai, and Rangoon. It’s a film you lose yourself in,” wrote American critic Justin Chang in The New Yorker about Grand Tour, which will premiere in Romania at Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest.
The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, winner of the Best Screenplay award at Cannes 2024, will also have its national premiere at Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest. The film tells the story of Elisabeth Sparkle, a declining TV star, portrayed by Demi Moore, who turns to a substance capable of regenerating her cells, creating Sue, a more vibrant and youthful version of herself, played by Margaret Qualley. Through this film, Coralie Fargeat draws attention to the female body. “This has a massive impact on women’s lives and conditions countless aspects of society. Our bodies define us, generate inequalities, and violence, including self-inflicted violence. We are almost forced to hate them in some way, and they can become our first instruments of torture,” said Coralie Fargeat, quoted by AFP.
The full program of the 15th edition of Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest, along with information about films, related events, and guests, will be available on www.filmedefestival.ro and on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets will go on sale via Eventbook in early October.
Emilia Perez and The Substance are distributed in Romania by Independența Film, while Grand Tour and All We Imagine as Light are distributed by Voodoo Films. Anora is distributed by Ro Image 2000 and will hit theaters starting November 8.
Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest is an event founded in 2010 by Cristian Mungiu with the support of Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Cannes Film Festival, and is organized by Cinemascop Association and Voodoo Films.
The festival is held in partnership with UniCredit Bank and with the support of Adrem, Catena, Groupama, Apanova, Pepsi, McDonald’s, NHOOD, Freshful.
The cultural project is funded by the National Center for Cinematography, the French Embassy and the French Institute in Romania, Dacin Sara, and the Spanish Embassy in Romania, Goethe-Institut.
Partners: Jidvei, Mercure Hotel, Avanpost, Abator, Eventbook, Europa Cinemas, Cărturești.
Cultural partner: Radio RFI Romania.
Media partners: Pro TV, Agerpres, Scena9, Libertatea, Elle Romania, Biz, Haute Culture Magazine, Cultura la Dubă, LiterNet, Films in Frame, Igloo, Cinefilia, Zile și Nopți.
Monitoring partner: MediaTrust.