‘The Mountains,’ Heartbreaking Portrait of a Fractured Family, Wins Top Honor at Hot Docs

Cannes Film Festival, where Catherine Breillat’s scandal-courting transgression drama mostly inspired yawns.More inert than inept, “Last Summer” arrived in Cannes with fraught expectations: This is Breillat’s first film in a decade and a faithful remake of May el-Toukhy’s acclaimed “Queen of Hearts” — and within the Venn diagram of cinephiles who impatiently awaited Breillat’s follow-up to 2013’s “Abuse of Weakness,” and journalists who reviewed and celebrated that 2019 Danish drama you could probably fit the entire Palais.Like a cover song that follows the same notes but changes the emphasis, “Last Summer” tracks a high-powered juvenile rights attorney who begins a taboo fling with her underage stepson. The lawyer here is Anne (Léa Drucker, from “Custody”), a content and aloof mother of two who dulls her mid-life boredoms with wine.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic It began in the son’s room, when father was away on business. L’enfant thought it was l’amour, but for her, 30-odd years his senior, the sex, lies and audiotape were a mistake. Wild at heart, she’d yielded to the taste of … oh, never mind. Competing for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, Catherine Breillat’s “Last Summer” echoes films that have come before — most notably, 2019 Danish drama “Queen of Hearts,” on which it’s based — but it proves most daring in the ways the film departs for its more conventionally moralistic source, and especially in Breillat’s refusal to call either party a parasite. Yes, the affair between a lawyer and her 17-year-old stepson is a betrayal — of her marriage, of her parental responsibilities, of everything she stands for as an attorney — but that’s nothing compared to how the 50-ish woman deals with it when word gets out in this thought-provoking domestic drama. In reviewing the original, Variety’s Guy Lodge wrote, “you can practically envisage a Robin Wright-starring U.S. remake” — which isn’t far from the truth. Backed by fearless producer Saïd Ben Saïd (“Elle”), Breillat gives us the great Léa Drucker (who played far more responsible moms in “Close” and “Custody”) in the role of Anne, who’s introduced representing an underage girl in a sex-crimes case.

Marta Balaga Denmark’s “Norwegian Offspring,” by Marlene Emilie Lyngstad, from Den Danske Filmskole, was chosen as the winner of the 26th edition of La Cinef. In the story, a mother passes away and her estranged son – obsessed with theories about the repression of male sexuality in modern society – starts longing for offspring of his own. “The jury was captivated by this bold filmmaker,” said Ildikó Enyedi, who presided over the jury. “It made us laugh and cringe at the same time.”

Marta Balaga Projeto Paradiso has announced in Cannes that Daniel Bandeira has won the Pop Up Film Residency Paradiso. The program is created exclusively for Brazilian professionals. Bandeira, currently developing “Red Express,” is also behind “Property”, which premiered at the Berlinale’s Panorama back in February. Born in Pernambuco, he has been a filmmaker since 2001, making his feature debut with “Peer Pressure.”  The three-week Pop Up Film Residency – carried out in partnership with Matthieu Darras of Tatino Films – will take place in the Faroe Islands in Denmark, with Jón Hammer of Kyk Pictures joining as local partner.

Kaouther Ben Hania’s powerful drama “Four Daughters” which mixes documentary and fiction to tell the story of Tunisian mother whose two elder daughters joined ISIS is scoring a slew of sales following its well-received Cannes competition premiere. French company The Party Films Sales has sealed deals on “Four Daughters” for: Benelux (Cineart); Spain (Caramel Films); Italy (I Wonder); Switzerland (Trigon); Sweden (Triart); Denmark (Camera Film); Norway (Arthaus); Finland (Cinemanse); Poland (New Horizons); Greece (Ama Films); former Yougoslavia (Discovery) and Turkey (Bir Film). Rights to the film for multiple other territories are under negotiations, the company said.

With summer fast approaching, many people are starting to think about holidays. While some opt for an all inclusive resort where they can relax all day on a beach or by a pool, others prefer a city break and the chance to get out and explore the local area.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Revered Italian auteur Marco Bellocchio is returning to Cannes with “Kidnapped,” a drama that reconstructs the true tale of Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy who was kidnapped and forcibly raised as a Christian in 19th century Italy. It’s a story that Steven Spielberg had his eye on, having announced in 2016 that he would make a drama about Mortara for which he began scouting locations in Italy. Last year, Bellocchio was in Cannes with another kidnapping drama, the limited TV series “Exterior Night,” about the abduction and assassination of former Italian premier Aldo Moro by Red Brigades terrorists. The veteran auteur’s first foray in TV has had the rare distinction of playing well in Italian cinemas — in two installments — before airing on RAI and selling globally. Earlier this month it also scored a slew of statuettes, including best director, at Italy’s David Awards, the country’s top film prizes.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International In Britain, schoolchildren learning about Tudor history are taught a handy rhyme to remember the order of King Henry VIII’s six wives: “Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.” Hollywood has for decades been transfixed by the “beheaded” and “died” bits — essentially, the stories about women suffering — but what moviegoers are rarely reminded of is the wife who outlived Henry. In Karim Aïnouz’s hotly anticipated “Firebrand,” it’s the notorious Tudor king’s final companion, Katherine Parr, who finally takes center stage. “What’s mostly been dramatized are the wives who didn’t make it,” says Swedish star Alicia Vikander, who plays the surviving queen opposite Jude Law’s ailing monarch. “[When I read the script] I immediately thought, ‘Huh, isn’t it interesting that most people know more about the other wives.’ It’s almost like people are drawn to quite grim stories.”

Sony Pictures has made several changes and additions to its film release slate, including pushing back the release of the family film “Harold and the Purple Crayon” to 2024 and Blumhouse’s “They Listen” to 2024. “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” an adaptation of the famed children’s book starring Zachary Levi and Lil Rel Howery, has been moved from a slated June 30 release to August 2, 2024. “They Listen,” a horror film starring Katherine Waterston and John Cho, has been moved from August 2023 to August 30, 2024.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Global Screen has racked up presales to multiple territories for the animated family adventure movie “Niko — Beyond the Northern Lights,” the third in the box office hit franchise about a flying reindeer. The sales agency will be showing a first scene to buyers at Cannes Film Market. The animated movie has been picked up Kino Swiat for Poland, Bluelabel for South Korea, Just4Kids for the Benelux, GPI for the Baltic states, Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia, Zinos Panagiotidis for Greece, Bad Unicorn for Romania, Bohemia Motion Pictures for Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Pro Film for Bulgaria and Bir Film for Turkey.

Christian Nodal and Cazzu are in the middle of an exciting journey, as they are expecting their first child together. Yesterday was Mother's Day in Mexico, and the Mexican singer made special gesture for his girlfriend. While Cazzu revealed that they live together in Argentina, they are spending time apart while he is on tour.

Mubi has acquired 11 films by Lars von Trier for North America, including the director’s Dogme 95 entry The Idiots. It will release a new uncut 4K restoration of the film June 16 theatrically timed to its 25th anniversary, followed by an exclusive streaming release.

King Charles’ official Coronation portraits gave an insight into His Majesty’s idea of a slimmed-down monarchy – with one shot showing the working royals all together. The image features 10 members of The Firm alongside the King and Queen Consort Camilla – including well-known faces such as Princess Anne, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. But while the woman standing in between the Duchess and Duke of Edinburgh may be unrecognisable to many – she has been described as the 'unsung heroine' of the Royal Family.

Katie Reul editor A brand new trailer for “Oppenheimer,” the upcoming film from director Christopher Nolan, was released Monday by Universal Pictures in anticipation of the feature’s July debut. Set to a dramatic score from Ludwig Göransson, the newly-dropped teaser offers closer looks at the key players of the Manhattan Project, as portrayed by a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Leslie Groves Jr. and Tom Conti, who appears briefly as a somber looking Albert Einstein. “Oppenheimer” centers around the legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Murphy), who is credited as the inventor of the atomic bomb. Based on the biographical novel “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” the film follows the physicist as he works alongside a team of government scientists to develop nuclear weapons in the early 1940s.

King Charles's coronation, including foreign royals, world leaders and more. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco were among the first royals to confirm their attendance for the historic occasion in London. The couple will be joined by a number of royals from households from around the world, including King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and King Felipe and Queen Letizia.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Twenty emerging producers from across Europe have been selected to take part in European Film Promotion’s promotion and networking platform Producers on the Move before and during the Cannes Film Festival. The producers who were selected for the program from nominations submitted by EFP’s member organizations are Gentian Koçi (Albania), David Bohun (Austria), Julie Esparbes (Belgium), Vanya Rainova (Bulgaria), Miljenka Čogelja (Croatia), Stelana Kliris (Cyprus), Alice Tabery (Czech Republic), Emile Hertling Péronard (Denmark), Emilia Haukka (Finland), Silvana Santamaria (Germany), Vicky Miha (Greece), Júlia Berkes (Hungary), Kathryn Kennedy (Ireland), Valon Bajgora (Kosovo), Dominiks Jarmakovičs (Latvia), Erik Glijnis (The Netherlands), Elisa Fernanda Pirir (Norway), Radu Stancu (Romania), Juraj Krasnohorský (Slovak Republic), and Julia Gebauer (Sweden).

jig is up — and it’s going viral. As things are shaking up in Buckingham Palace, Princess of Wales Kate Middleton’s savvy secret to looking picture-perfect in photos is becoming all the rage online. “Royals fans are going crazy for the ‘Princess Shuffle’ that Kate uses to discreetly get closer to people in pictures,” wrote TikTok account @The.Royal.Watcher — a profile dedicated to all things related to the crown. The clip, which has fetched a staggering 2.4 million views, features recently resurfaced footage of Middleton, 41, meeting with Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, and Queen Margrethe II at Christian IX’s Palace in February 2022.As royal photographers begin snapping frames of the distinguished dignitaries, Middleton, donning a posh pair of black stilettos, is seen doing a subtle heel-to-toe jig, scooting closer to her hosts without looking down at her feet. And fans of the well-regarded Windsor family are going wild over the footwork. “‘The Princess Shuffle!’ I love everything about this,” praised a diehard of Middleton’s moves. “That’s a neat trick! Years of practice!” cheered another. “Shufffffffle!! Discreet and elegant love you Kate,” an equally impressed fanatic raved. “And in heels! I would definitely get caught on the carpet and wipe out,” another joked. However, not everyone was dazzled by the royal’s ability to photogenically cut a rug. “This is less discreet and less smooth than just taking that tiny step over,” spat an underwhelmed onlooker. “You mean she takes a step to the side? I’m certain that is the most important thing she has done in years,” said another, lightly shading Middleton, wife to Prince William and mother of three. #fyp #katemiddleton #katemiddletonstyle #princessofwales #princewilliam

Netflix has greenlit a Keira Knightley-starring thriller, the latest series from The Crown producer Left Bank and a Bank of Dave sequel.

Princess Catherine AKA Kate Middleton is going viral for a hilarious new signature shuffle!

Kate Middleton knows how to keep things smooth.