Cannes to view Sarkozy rise-to-power film

A film depicting President Nicolas Sarkozy’s quest for power is to be among the movies presented “out of competition” at this year’s Cannes film festival. Selections for Critics’ Week and the short films Palme d’Or gather offerings from across the world.

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La Conquête’s depiction of the president’s ruthless ambition reportedly pulls no punches. ButFrench Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand invited director Xavier Durringer and actor Denis Podalydès, who plays his boss, to a reception for Cannes-selected French filmmakers on Monday evening.

“France’s selection looks quite remarkable and fascinating,” he declared.

“The character I play is extremely endearing and insufferable, simultaneously mature and immature,” Podalydès told the press, adding that he was “not quite the same as in reality”.

Also among those present at the reception were actors and directors from Maïwenn’s Polisse, Bertrand Bonello’s L’Apollinade and Robert Guédigian’s Les neiges de Kilimandjaro.

Among the 25 features selected after 1,300 viewings for the Quinzaine des réalisateurs are Chatrak by India’s Vimukhti Jayasundara and O abismo prateado by Brazilian Karim Ainouzou.

Shorts that will be shown on the French Riviera include Paternal womb by Japan’s Megumi Tazaki, Ghost by South Korea’s Ma Dahci and Cross by France’s Maryna Vroda.

French films will open and close Critic’s Week. They are Valérie Donzelli’s La guerre est déclarée (War is declared) and Katia Lewcowicz’s Pourquoi tu pleures? (What are you crying for?).