Woman directs opening film at the Cannes Film Festival

Dramatic French film is only the second opener in event’s history with female director

The Cannes Film Festival is leading its annual cinema showcase with a film directed by a woman, for only the second time in the fest’s seven-decade history.

La Tête haute, by France’s Emmanuelle Bercot, will open the 68th edition of the festival on May 13. It’s the story of a juvenile delinquent named Malony, played by newcomer Rod Paradot, as he struggles from ages 6 through 18. A children’s judge and social workers try to keep him on the straight and narrow path. Also starring Catherine Deneuve, Benoît Magimel and Sara Forestier, it sounds like a cross between Boyhood and The 400 Blows. The title translates roughly as Heads Up.

La Tête haute briefly had the distinction Monday of being the first Cannes opener directed by a woman. The festival announced it as such, and it was no small matter, since it is trying to beat back criticism that it’s too male-centric in its programming.

But then cinéastes on Twitter pointed out that Diane Kurys, another French filmmaker, earned the “first woman” distinction back in 1987. Her romantic drama Un homme amoureux (A Man in Love) opened Cannes that year.

The festival quickly tweeted a retraction. But La Tête haute will be viewed as a special opener for Cannes regardless, festival chief Thierry Frémaux said, in announcing the film’s selection as the gala world premiere opener:

“It is a clear reflection of our desire to see the festival start with a different piece, which is both bold and moving. Emmanuelle Bercot’s film makes important statements about contemporary society, in keeping with modern cinema. It focuses on universal social issues, making it a perfect fit for the global audience at Cannes.”

Emmanuelle Bercot has attended the fest as a film director, screenwriter and actor. She co-wrote the script for Maïwenn’s Polisse, an ensemble 2011 drama set within the Child Protection Unit of the Paris police department. The film competed for the Palme d’Or at that year’s fest and took home a Jury Prize, the Cannes equivalent of a bronze medal.

Bercot stars in Maïwenn’s new film, Mon Roi (My King), which is touted as a contender for one of the Palme d’Or aspirants when Cannes unveils its official selection on Thursday.