Four Canadian films in Official Selection at Cannes: Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg, Laurence Anyways by Xavier Dolan, Antiviral by Brandon Cronenberg and Chef de meute by Chloé Robichaud
David and Brandon Cronenberg: Father and son at Cannes
Montreal, April 19, 2011 – Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg, Laurence Anyways by Xavier Dolan, Antiviral by Brandon Cronenberg and Chef de meute by Chloé Robichaud will be shown as part of the Official Selection at the 65th Annual Festival de Cannes, which runs this year from May 16 to May 27.
In competition (feature length)
Cosmopolis
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Production: Prospero Pictures (Canada), Alfama Films (France)
Distribution: Entertainment One
International sales: Kinology
Starring Robert Pattinson and Sarah Gadon. New York City, not-too-distant-future: Eric Packer, a 28-year-old finance golden boy dreaming of living in a civilization ahead of this one, watches a dark shadow cast over the firmament of the Wall Street galaxy, of which he is the uncontested king. As he is chauffeured across midtown Manhattan to get a haircut at his father’s old barber, his anxious eyes are glued to the yuan’s exchange rate: it is mounting against all expectations, destroying Eric’s bet against it. Eric Packer is losing his empire with every tick of the clock. Meanwhile, an eruption of wild activity unfolds in the city’s streets. Petrified as the threats of the real world infringe upon his cloud of virtual convictions, his paranoia intensifies during the course of his 24-hour cross-town odyssey. Packer starts to piece together clues that lead him to a most terrifying secret: his imminent assassination.
Un Certain Regard
Antiviral
Directed by: Brandon Cronenberg
Production: Rhombus Media
Distribution: Alliance Films
International sales: TF1
Starring Caleb Landry Jones and Sarah Gadon. Syd March works at a clinic that sells viruses taken from sick celebrities to fans who want to be injected with them. On the side he supplies illegal samples of these viruses to piracy groups, smuggling them from his work in his own body. When he becomes infected with the disease that kills superstar Hannah Geist, he suddenly finds himself a target for collectors and rabid fans, and must unravel the mystery surrounding her death before he suffers the same fate.
Laurence Anyways
Directed by: Xavier Dolan
Production: Lyla Films, Les Productions Équinoxe (Canada), MK2 (France)
Distribution: Alliance Vivafilm
International sales: MK2
Starring Nathalie Baye, Suzanne Clément, Melvil Poupaud and Monia Chokri. Laurence Anyways is a tale of impossible love. On his 30th birthday, Laurence, who is very much in love with Fred, reveals to her, after much hesitation, his desire to become a woman.
In competition (short film)
Chef de meute
Directed by: Chloé Robichaud
Production: La boîte à Fanny
Clara’s overwhelming family can’t understand her solitary life, wishing she would find someone to grow old with. Following her aunt’s sudden death, Clara is put in charge of her pet. Little does she know that these are the first step to an unlikely, but empowering, friendship.