Deauville opens with Furman’s crime thriller ‘Infiltrator’

Festival to honor Michael Moore

LOS ANGELES, Aug 24, (RTRS): Brad Furman’s “The Infiltrator,” a crime thriller starring Bryan Cranston and Diane Kruger, is set to open Deauville American Film Festival.

“The Infiltrator,” which will be released in France by ARP Selection, turns on the true story of a US customs official who infiltrated the drug trafficking network of Pablo Escobar.

“The Infiltrator” will have its French premiere at the festival, along with David McKenzie’s “Hell or High Water,” James Franco’s “In Dubious Battle,” John Michael McDonagh’s “War on Everyone” and Todd Phillips’s “War Dogs” with Jonah Hill and Bradley Cooper.

Michael Moore will be honored at the festival, along with James Franco and Stanley Tucci. The homage to Moore, which underscores the festival’s willingness to have a greater political undertone than in previous years, will be followed by the French premiere of “Where to Invade Next.”

Spanning 14 films, the competition includes movies from wellknown directors such as Ira Sachs with “Little Men,” Kelly Reichardt (“Night Moves”) with “Certain Women,” Joshua Marston (“Maria Full of Grace”) with “Complete Unknown” and Todd Solondz (“Welcome to the Dollhouse”) with “Wiener Dogs,” as well as up-and-coming directors who’ve gone through Cannes, notably Matt Ross’s Un Certain Regard winner “Captain Fantastic,” Nathan Morlando’s Directors’ Fortnight player “Mean Dreams,” Michael O’Shea’s feature debut “Transfiguration” which screened in Un Certain Regard. “Transfiguration” is one of the five feature debuts set to compete.

Bruno Barde, the artistic director of the festival, pointed out the competition lineup was particularly strong (allying solid scripts with visually appealing mise-en-scene) and reflective of the world’s turmoil.

Mark

“It would be unimaginable to think that the chaos which reigns in the world today would not leave its mark on the films of the 2016 edition of the Festival and our selections,” said Barde, who described some films as being “existential.” “These days, art poses questions about humankind, history, and specifically that of America,” added Barde, citing Gary Ross’s “Free State of Jones” about racism and slavery, James Franco’s “In Dubious Battle” about class struggle and “War Dogs” about weapon trade in the US.

Barde also noted the important number of films based on true stories, citing Antonio Campos’s “Christine”, “The Infiltrator”, “Born to the Blue” and Don Cheadle’s directorial debut “Miles Ahead,” which is still seeking French distribution.

Only three movies playing in competition — “Christine,” Jason Lew’s “The Free World” and Greg Kwedar’s “Transpecos” — don’t have a French distributor.

As every year, Deauville will pay tribute to young talent with its Nouvel Hollywood awards which will go to Daniel Radcliffe and Chloe Grace-Moretz. Although Radcliffe is British, Barde said he qualified for this prize because his career is essentially in the US.

The jury will be presided by former culture minister Francois Mitterand, the actresses and actors Francoise Arnoul (“Le cancre”), Eric Elmosnino (“La famille Belier”), Sara Forestier (“Standing Tall”), Ana Girardot (“The Returned”), American novelist Douglas Kennedy (“Five Days”), the directors Radu Mihaileanu (“The Story of Love”) and Emmanuel Mouret (“The Art of Love”), Marjane Satrapi (“Persepolis”).