The 77th Cannes Festival, one of the world's most prestigious film events, will soon be unveiling its lineup in the French resort town next month. Amid the roster of films is a unique documentary, "Gaza's Diva." This film, which was notably shot before the Gaza war, tells the compelling story of a young Gazan man who was forced to leave his home due to his sexual orientation and began a fresh chapter in Tel Aviv, embracing his identity as a trans woman. This announcement was made during a Paris press conference yesterday by Thierry Fremaux, the festival's artistic director.
Outside the official competition, "La Belle Gaza" has been marked as one of the festival's most fascinating and highly anticipated films. The director behind this intriguing narrative is Yolande Zauberman, a French-Jewish filmmaker known for her insightful documentaries set in Israel, including "M," a film about Menachem Lang who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of rabbis at his yeshiva, and "Would You Sleep with an Arab?" where she interviewed individuals in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv about their attitudes toward intimate relationships with Arabs.
While no Israeli films have made it into the official competition, a film featuring Israeli actor Mark Ivanir, "Emilia Perez," has found a place in the race for the coveted "Golden Palm." This comedy musical, directed by the renowned French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, is set in Mexico and revolves around a lawyer tasked with aiding a drug lord's disappearance. Ivanir, who has been steadily building his Hollywood career, plays the role of an Israeli doctor, joining a stellar cast including Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez.
The main competition will also see the inclusion of "Oh, Canada," Paul Schrader's latest film starring Richard Gere and Uma Thurman. It's worth noting that SIPUR, an Israeli production company helmed by Gilad Emilio Shenker and Eyal Rimon, is one of the film's production partners.
Emilio Shenker, CEO of Sipur, shared his thoughts: "Being part of the official competition at Cannes and serving as co-producers with Eyal Rimon on a globally discussed film like 'Oh, Canada,' directed by the highly respected filmmaker Paul Schrader, is a remarkable honor for SIPUR. Our collaboration with an exceptional cast fits seamlessly with SIPUR's mission as an international studio. Our core objectives include the development, production, and financing of content for the international market, fostering unique collaborations between creators, producers, and markets, and positioning ourselves at the vanguard of the global entertainment industry."
The festival jury will be led by Greta Gerwig, the acclaimed director behind the blockbuster "Barbie." The festival also plans to honor "Star Wars" creator, George Lucas, with a lifetime achievement award.
First published: 11:27, 04.16.24