Several artists in the spotlight for a 50th edition “looking towards the future”

The 50th Deauville American Film Festival, which opens Friday, is expecting many stars and hopes to turn the page on the controversies that rocked the summer.

“We will look in the rearview mirror and look to the future,” announced to AFP on Tuesday, September 3, Aude Hesbert, the new director of the festival, which is being held this year from September 6 to 15. A reference to the turbulence of the summer, when the controversy over the ousting of trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf from the jury in connection with the #metoo wave arose at the end of August. At the same time, we learned that in mid-July, filmmaker Maïwenn, initially expected to chair the jury, had been ousted in favor of actor Benoît Magimel. Aude Hesbert was appointed on July 22 to replace Bruno Barde, who was removed from his position during the summer following accusations of sexual assault in Mediapart. Decisions “necessary but difficult, which will be assumed until the end.”

Now the festival wants to move forward. “Transmission is the common thread of this edition”, explained Aude Hesbert, already deputy director of the festival from 2018 to 2023, before leaving for a year in the United States where she “better understood American society, its Francophilia, their way of fighting against sexist and sexual violence”.

A majority of first films, great filmmakers and 50 classics

“Of the twelve films in competition, eight are the first films of their directors,” said Aude Hesbert, “It is an affirmation of confidence in the future.” Out of competition, great filmmakers are present in Deauville to defend their films. Francis F. Coppola comes to present his Megalopolis which was screened at Cannes. Sean Baker is also expected with AnoraPalme d’Or 2024 in Cannes, Paolo Sorrentino with Parthenope, or even Tim Burton with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Concerning the films in competition, the winners of this 50th edition will be revealed on Saturday, September 14. In the meantime, the festival will show or re-show a series of 50 American films that have “changed our outlook”, among which Mulholland Drive, Taxi Driver And The Godfather.

Tributes, distinctions and meetings

Various cinema personalities have been invited to Deauville where a tribute will be paid to them, sometimes with the presentation of an honorary award. This is the case for actor Michael Douglas, actresses Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams (a Deauville Talent Award for each of them), as well as director James Gray. (The Yards, We Own the Night, Two Lovers…) including the screening, in 1994 in Deauville, of the first film Little Odessa left its mark. A meeting with the public is planned. French director Christophe Honoré will also have the opportunity to discuss with the public his vision of American cinema and his favorites.

The director and documentarian Frederick Wiseman, 94 years old, a fine portraitist of our Western societies, will also be honored.

A new cinema, new actors in the spotlight

On the rising generation side, American actor Sebastian Stan, seen in the Marvel franchise and who plays Donald Trump in The Apprentice (released October 9) is to receive the New Hollywood Award. Same distinction for two young actresses: Mikey Madison, noticed in the film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and in the series Better Things And The Voice of the Lakeand Daisy Ridley who starred in Star Wars: The Secret Life of Miss Fran And Magpie.

In addition, Malia Ann Obama, 26, eldest daughter of the former President of the United States, will receive a “New Generation Prize” in Deauville, specially created for this 50th edition, for her short film The Heart, first broadcast in France on September 6.

> All the information on the festival website