The opening night film at the Cannes Film Festival has typically been something with major star power or something out of Hollywood to draw out the names to the red carpet, but for the 2015 Cannes Film Festival the organizers have gone a different route, announcing in their press release that for the first time in the history of the festival, a female director will open the fest. Emmanuelle Bercot‘s La Tête Haute starring Catherine Deneuve will serve as said opener on May 13.
The film tells the story of a juvenile delinquent, Malony (Rod Paradot), and his upbringing from childhood to adulthood, as a children’s judge and social worker try to save him. It was filmed in the Nord-Pas de Calais, Rhône-Alpes and Paris area regions, and along with Deneuve and Paradot, the film stars Benoît Magimel and Sara Forestier.
Along with being a director, Bercot has been seen in the fest recently as a member of the cast of Maïwenn‘s Polisse and Olivier Assayas‘ Carlos.
“The choice of this film may seem surprising, given the rules generally applied to the Festival de Cannes Opening Ceremony,” said Thierry Frémaux, General delegate of the Event. “It is a clear reflection of our desire to see the Festival start with a different piece, which is both bold and moving. Emmanuelle Bercot’s film makes important statements about contemporary society, in keeping with modern cinema. It focusses on universal social issues, making it a perfect fit for the global audience at Cannes.”
The film will hit French theaters the same day it opens the fest.
The 68th edition of the Festival de Cannes will take place from May 13 to 24. The Official Selection will be announced this Thursday, April 16.
